Sewer History: Photos and Graphics


	Artist's rendition of a public latrine that may have seated as many as 100 near the Theatre of Pompey in Rome. Water was often fed to latrines from adjacent public baths. The open water channel in front of the latrines was most likely used to wash hands or to dip sponges that were tied to the end of a stick and used for cleaning (see detail at right). The water basins in front of the latrines were probably used for washing faces and other general cleaning. The latrines were most often unisex; the type of clothing worn served to maintain modesty while on the latrine seats. Source: Illustration by Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Dept., based on information in The Ancient City by Peter Connolly and Hazel Dodge (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998).
	Cutaway view of a typical Roman street during the Roman Empire, showing lead water pipes and a central channel for sewage under the pavement. Perpendicular connections brought sewage from nearby homes and businesses. Source: Illustration by Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Dept., based on information in The Ancient City by Peter Connolly and Hazel Dodge (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998).
Cloaca Maxima
	1850 Sketch of the Cloaca Maxima – Rome, Italy, Tiber River. Source: Jon C. Schladweiler, Historian, Arizona Water Association (formerly AWPCA).
	View of the Cloaca Maxima, Italy. The 11' x 12' Cloaca Maxima ("Main Drain" -- finished in 510 BCE, and made of hewn stone, no cement) drained to the Tiber River. Its original purpose was to drain a marsh, upon which a large portion of Rome was eventually built. The sewer has remained in service for over 2400 years. Source: Unknown.
	Outlet of the Cloaca Maxima on the Tiber River, Rome. See excerpt re construction of the Cloaca Maxima. Source: Marion Elizabeth Blake, Ancient Roman Construction in Italy from the Prehistoric Period to Augustus (Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1947), plate 15, figure 3.
	Sketch of the Cloaca Maxima, Italy. Source: Unknown.
	Sketch of the Cloaca Maxima, Rome. Source: Thomas H. Dyer, Ancient Rome (London: Walton and Maberly, Upper Gower Street; John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1864), p. 97.
	Cloaca Maxima sign, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy. Photo date October 2007. Source: Rick Arbour, P.E., Saint Paul, Minnesota.
	Cloaca Maxima entrance, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy. Photo date October 2007. Source: Rick Arbour, P.E., Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Pompeii
	Pipe, Pompeii, Italy. Photo date October 2007. Source: Rick Arbour, P.E., Saint Paul, Minnesota.
	Clay pipe embedded in stone wall, Pompeii, Italy. Photo date October 2007. Source: Rick Arbour, P.E., Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Todi, Italy
	Underground cistern, Todi, Italy. Photo date October 2007. Todi has a complex underground net of tunnels, wells and cisterns that were used to drain and canalize underground water and to supply water. This water network operated until the building of the modern waterworks in 1925. (Information from http://www.umbriangarden.com/pointstodi.html) Source: Rick Arbour, P.E., Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Modern Italy
	Italian plumbing with external house connection sewers. Photo date 2008. Source: Eric Wieduwilt, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, Tucson, Arizona.