Sewer

Sewer

A sewer is an underground conduit for carrying off drainage water and waste matter. The systems of sewers are known as sewerage. Sewer systems are designed to transport sewage and surface runoff from buildings and populated areas to treatment plants or disposal points.

History

The earliest sewers were constructed in the ancient world. The Indus Valley Civilization had a network of sewers built under grid pattern streets. In Rome, the Cloaca Maxima, considered a marvel of engineering, discharged into the Tiber River. In medieval European cities, small natural waterways used for carrying off waste were eventually covered over and functioned as sewers.

Types of Sewers

There are three types of sewer systems: sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and combined sewers. Sanitary sewer systems are designed to transport sewage alone. In contrast, storm sewer systems carry surface runoff but not sewage or waste water. Combined sewer systems, a type of sewer system that is no longer built, transport both sewage and surface runoff.

Sewerage Systems

Sewerage systems can be separated into three components: domestic sewerage, industrial sewerage, and storm sewerage. Domestic sewerage is the waste water from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Industrial sewerage can be a combination of domestic and industrial waste. Storm sewerage is runoff from rain or melted snow.

Health and Environmental Concerns

Sewers can pose serious health risks and environmental concerns. Sewage can contain pathogens that cause a variety of illnesses. Additionally, untreated sewage released into the environment can lead to water pollution.

See Also

• Water supply
• Sanitation
• Plumbing
• Waste management

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