When Were Sewage Treatment Plants Invented?
A need to dispose of waste products is as old as the human race.
However sewage treatment plants are a relatively new invention, at least in the form that you find today. We asked our resident experts at OMDI to delve into their history and give to you a better understanding of how they work.
A Brief Overview of Sewage Treatment Plants
Sewage treatment plants are an effective alternative to using the mains sewage system. They are environment-friendly and can easily be set up in remote, rural areas where there is no access to public sewers.
While septic tanks only separate waste into sludge and liquid, a sewage treatment plant goes one step further and treats those products.
Sewage treatment plants create cleaner waste products that can be moved safely into watercourses without causing damage to the environment. It was this need for an eco-friendly method that gave rise to sewage treatment plants in the first place.
A Brief History of Sewers
Human settlements historically grew near to rivers or lakes, which provided convenient access to water. But the same watercourses would also be used to get rid of human waste, creating the first not-so-hygienic sewer systems.
As human populations in cities expanded along with knowledge of illnesses and bacteria, it became apparent it wasn’t the best way of living.
Early sewers in cities like London or Liverpool still only returned the waste back into watercourses, whether that be an ocean or lake. Therefore a further need arose for treatment facilities that could purify the waste both for hygiene and environmental reasons.
When Were Sewage Treatment Plants Invented?
The need to clean wastewater before diverting it elsewhere led to the use of chemicals that can break down the bacteria and other harmful substances found in sewage.
Cities began building large-scale sewage treatment plants that could deal with huge quantities, reducing it using the same fundamental processes still used now.
The first plant is thought to have become operational in 1890 in the United States, although much of the research into the science and techniques behind it was carried out over several decades in the United Kingdom and across Europe prior to this.
The process soon caught on, and was quickly refined in the early 20th century. It remains in use across the world, both on a large industrial scale and in smaller sewage treatment plants located in rural locations, including back gardens.
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Here at OMDI, we have two decades’ experience when it comes to providing our happy customers with off-mains drainage solutions.
To find out more about designing, installing and maintaining a sewage treatment plant in your back garden, contact OMDI today.
Our experts will be happy to discuss your project and provide a free, no-obligation quote.
