MANAGING WASTE WATER THROUGH THE AGES: A HUMAN HISTORY

Even though there has been a lot published on the history of water delivery systems, there isn t much on wastewater management. This is unexpected since a lack of sanitation has the same, if not larger, impact on human development as a lack of clean water. While addressing waste treatment may carry a stigma, cleanliness is generally seen as a major demand on financial and political resources, as well as humanity s development. A overview of the literature on the development of sewage disposal through time and its effect on human health and the environment is provided. Hopefully, this knowledge will raise historical understanding in order to influence future legislation and technological advancements. The study emphasizes the link between environmental contamination and the capacity to quantify it, as well as how advancements in scientific understanding have influenced pollution management. The impact of political and social events on wastewater management is also highlighted. A sanitation history has been created, highlighting major advancements in wastewater treatment and advances in analytical environmental sciences. This review was prepared with the hope that historical research demonstrating the communal experience and philosophy of sanitation may inspire future challenges.