The Influence Of Water Supply In Ancient Civilizations

Throughout history, civilizations have hassled with access to water sources. The locations of the earliest settled communities were directly influenced by the availability of water. An ample water supply and the adequate management of waste-water removal factors considerably into the development of civilizations throughout history. Expansion of technologies, in response to problems associated with the distribution and maintenance of a clean water supply, to settlements and cities, directly correlates with the growth of cities. Shallow dug wells are the earliest distinguishable developments in water supply outside of its natural form. Beginning with the Bronze Age (3200-1100 BC), the chronological progression in the sophistication of water
Sewage systems advanced within the urban network and were incorporated into private residences and complexes. The typical structure of an ancient Greek lavatory consisted of one or more benches, made of either wood or stone, featuring a defecation opening. The benches were positioned and supported by cantilever stone blocks over the main ditch, where flushing water ran either continuously or periodically. The sewers found in Athens conveyed stormwater, human and other wastes to a basin located beyond the town, implementing the Eridanos river. The waste-waters were then carried from the basin through brick-lined conduits, to agricultural fields for fertilization. Late Classical Period homes were provided with their own sewer network, consisting of slab covered ducts and/or ceramic pipes, most often positioned under the pavement. This network would output the waste-water and/or rainwater of baths and/or inner yards. Periodically communal sewage would cross private sewage networks to manage
The sewers of medieval Europe were commonly open ditches that followed along pre-existing drainage pathways, often directed along roadways. For centuries, the rivers in London and Paris acted as open sewers, prompting a proclamation, in 1357, prohibiting the disposal of waste into the waterways. The cholera epidemic in Europe, during the 1830's, is largely alleged to be predominantly due to inadequate sanitization, triggering a restoration and expansion of the sewage system. After ineffective changes to the sewage system, Napoleon III commissioned Georges Eugene Hassman to construct new Parisian sewers to collect rain-water, domestic water, and industrial water. It isn’t until the end of the 19th century, that European colonies will have implemented water sewers. From the Middle Ages leading into the 20th century, water systems have undergone several stages of development. The collection systems presently implemented remove waste-water and storm-water, collect stormwater, and combine waste and stormwater. The directions of modern collection systems are categorized into four attributes: (1) with a longitudinal path, collectors run parallel to the longest dimension if the town; (2) with a transversal path, with short collectors across the city; (3) with radical collectors, coming from various parts of town and converging to a unique point, from which the