You enjoy the luxury of modern plumbing, but how does clean water get to your house? A brief history of wastewater treatment in the US may help explain the process. The infrastructure didn’t pop up overnight: wastewater treatment has existed for centuries, and it is an ever-evolving and necessary science. Find out how and why we started treating our wastewater.
The 1800s
Throughout the 1800s, the United States’ population grew from about five million to 75 million people. To prevent disease and clean up the streets, some communities started to replace pits and ditches with underground pipes. One million people had access to a sewer system by 1860.
Different treatment plants across the country tried different methods. In 1899, the Refuse Act was the first regulation of sewage. It prohibited people from discharging solid matter into waterways.
The 1900s
By 1900, 25 million people had access to a sewer system, and 60 different sewage treatment plants served the country. During this century, the quick development of the modern wastewater treatment system rapidly evolved. Engineers came up with ways to remove solid matter, implemented a chlorination process, and more. Further, during this period, there was more government regulation and funding of treatment plants. By 1960, 50 percent of the US population had access to wastewater treatment.
The Modern-Day
As more people have access to sewage treatment, biosolids, known as sludge, build up quicker at wastewater plants. You can use biosolids as natural gas, or they can get thrown away. Plant operators use wastewater flow meters to track the amount of waste coming through their facility. The data helps them determine how much sludge will result. Higher standards for clean water demand that plants remove all particles before the water can return to the system.
We are lucky to live in the modern-day when most people have access to wastewater treatment. Share a brief history of wastewater treatment in the US with your peers to enlighten your friends and family about how they get clean water.
A festive, practical guide to overlooked categories, bundled services, and hybrid shopping strategies curated for joyful savings.
Black Friday isn’t just about midnight lines and discounted TVs anymore. The smartest shoppers look beyond the obvious, finding unexpected bargains, bundled experiences, and festive upgrades both online and in-store. This guide spotlights hidden gems and hybrid strategies that turn the season into a joyful, value-filled celebration.
Robin’s birds-eye view of the holiday hustle, watching the season unfold from above.
Industrial coatings add color to products and protect critical components from corrosion, wear, and environmental damage. Achieving a flawless finish depends on accuracy during application. Even minor errors can lead to premature failure and costly rework, which underscores the importance of precision in industrial powder coatings. Here’s how carefully applying coatings to metal products ensures longevity and reliable performance.
If premium assistance changes or disappears, you still have options. This guide explains how to shop smart, compare plans, and use cost-saving strategies that work even without federal subsidies. With federal subsidies uncertain for 2026, many households are bracing for higher premiums. Letters from insurers confirm that unsubsidized marketplace plans can feel unaffordable. Yet, there are practical ways to shop for coverage and reduce healthcare costs even without federal assistance.
Managing a tracheostomy requires attention to detail, especially when it comes to cleanliness. For individuals and their caregivers, maintaining a strict hygiene routine is fundamental to preventing infections and promoting overall health. Simple, consistent practices are the key to successfully keeping tracheostomy equipment hygienic and reducing the risk of complications.
Related Bing News Results Intersectoral action against AMR: bridging global implementation gaps by advancing integrated solutions and strengthening innovation and equity Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:25:00 GMT Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an evolving and pervasive challenge threatening health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability worldwide. Despite ... Child Poverty: Global, Regional and Select National Trends Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:33:00 GMT Around 1 in 5 children today are living in extreme poverty, according to new World Bank-UNICEF research. In 2024, an estimated 412 million children aged 17 or younger were residing in households ... Education, Science, and Citizenship: Critical Perspectives for a Globalized World Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:19:00 GMT The growing complexity of global challenges demands an education geared towards training citizens capable of understanding, analyzing and acting critically ... 2025 OCP Global Summit Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:00:00 GMT The 2025 OCP (Open Comute Project) Global Summit is held in San Jose, California, from October 13 to 16. This year's event drew a record crowd, underscoring the event's growing importance in the ... Global Ocean Governance Workshop Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:00:00 GMT Over June 16-18, 2025, the World Bank, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners, is holding a three-day Global Ocean Governance ...
