History of water supply and sanitation

The history of water supply and sanitation is one of a <a href="/facts/Logistics/0Hr2w55W">logistical</a> challenge to provide <a href="/facts/Water_supply/1UuexMtl">clean water</a> and <a href="/facts/Sanitation/NLGqBs2T">sanitation</a> systems since the dawn of <a href="/facts/Civilization/xvGpjDPj">civilization</a>. Where water resources, infrastructure or sanitation systems were insufficient, diseases spread and people fell sick or died prematurely.

Major human settlements could initially develop only where fresh surface water was plentiful, such as near rivers or <a href="/facts/Natural_springs/blPBY4VG">natural springs</a>. Throughout history, people have devised systems to make getting water into their communities and households and disposing of (and later also treating) <a href="/facts/Wastewater/g6Bn8xvT">wastewater</a> more convenient.
The historical focus of <a href="/facts/Sewage_treatment/bqLgnLnJ">sewage treatment</a> was on the conveyance of raw sewage to a natural body of water, e.g. a <a href="/facts/River/GxdjEX21">river</a> or <a href="/facts/Ocean/8W8lYgjD">ocean</a>, where it would be diluted and dissipated. Early <a href="/facts/Human/rlcTENsr">human</a> habitations were often built next to water sources. Rivers would often serve as a crude form of natural sewage disposal.
Over the millennia, technology has dramatically increased the distances across which water can be relocated. Furthermore, treatment processes to purify <a href="/facts/Drinking_water/FmSJcKGG">drinking water</a> and to treat wastewater have been improved.

History of water supply and sanitation open-in-new

History of water supply and sanitation