Wastewater management techniques from ancient civilizations to modern ages: examples from South Asia

Abstract

Wastewater management appeared about 3000 BC in South Asia, and spread on the whole subcontinent with the development of urbanization during its early history. Domestic grey water and black water were canalized through street-side drains, and cesspits was implemented at house outlet level, or at drain crossing, in order to avoid the clogging of the system. Nothing seems to be known about the ultimate place where the drains canalized wastewater. In South India, wastewater was managed previously to the 1st century AD, at the very same period as the presence of Mediterranean population on the subcontinent. But, we cannot confirm a Mediterranean influence on wastewater management, because of the previous development of several techniques in the region. In today rural Puducherry area, traditional techniques are used to manage wastewater, quite similar to the method used to treat wastewater of Puducherry urban zone.

Hydrology and water resources management in ancient India

“…During the Sangam Period (300 BCE to 300 AD), in the southern parts of India, the rainwater-harvesting structures such as tanks (ery in Tamil) were constructed for irrigating the paddy fields (Fardin et al, 2013;Sita, 2000), and fishing was also practiced in lotus ponds (tamaraikulam in Tamil) (Sita, 2000). The Grand Anicut (Kallanai Dam) was con-structed by the Chola King Karikalan during the first century AD on the river Cauvery for protection of the downstream populations against flood and to provide for irrigation supplies in the Cauvery delta region.…”

“…The sewage and drainage systems were composed of complex networks, especially in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa (Jansen, 1989). Latrines, soak pits, cesspools, pipes, and channels were the main elements of wastewater disposal (Fardin et al, 2013).…”

“…The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro and the 16 reservoir system of the Dholavira as well as the dockyard are perfect examples of the excellent hydraulic engineering in the Harappan civilization. Fardin et al (2013) mention that almost all the settlements of Mohenjo-Daro were connected to the drain network. However, at the same time, at Kalibangan, toilets and bathroom outflows were connected in U-shaped channels made of wood or terracotta bricks with decentralized sewage systems.…”

“…In many other parts of ancient India, e.g., Jorwe (Maharashtra), a similar drainage system was established during 1375-1050 BCE (Fardin et al, 2013;Kirk, 1975). Apart from the detailed references to various aspects of hydrology as discussed earlier, we also get some references to water quality in Vedas and other early literature, especially in Atharvaveda, Charaka Samhita, and Susruta Samhita (both of the pre-and early Buddhist era) (NIH, 2018).…”

The Historical Development of Sewers Worldwide

“…Similarly to the Minoans, the Harappans have developed advanced sewerage and drainage systems. Wastewater management of the Harappan sites was of two types: one centralized, with sewage and drainage networks, the other decentralized, with soak-pits and/or pierced jars [20]. But, in the sites where centralized wastewater management was implemented, as in Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal, decentralized techniques were also used for the houses isolated from the existing sewage network [21].…”