Sewage treatment in Roman cities

Rome was famous for  its sewer system, which was designed not so much to filter waste as to drain the ordinarily swampy lowlands in between the hills. The rudiments of the sewer date to the early republic, where there is evidence of ambitious drainage projects; by the early empire a major system of sewers, flowing into the famous cloaca maxima, was in  well in place (Marcus Agrippa, Augustus' closest advisor, tasked with reforming the sewer system, was able to row up the cloaca maxima in a boat to make an inspection, such was its girth). Some latrines might over sit the cloaca, and drainage from chamber pots would flow  from the streets to the sewer, but as advanced as this system was by ancient standards, the city would no doubt have reeked with the odor of undisposed   human caca.

So you mean things weren't as clean as we are led to believe? I thought here were latrines in every neighborhood. I think I would have opted to live in the country!

Okay, so there was a main sewer in Rome, but how about land locked cities? Where did the waste water go?

For the ancient world, it was good but generally? Disgusting. Water only reached the lower floors of the crowded insulae that made up a significant bulk of Roman cities, and thus the lower floor was a "domus" which was the best apartment. For the higher floors, the occupant had to carry water up many flights of steps to their room. Windows which were too large in winter, and too small in summer meant that the Room was either too hot in the winter or too cold in the summer. The braziers which Romans used to light their rooms often covered the walls with soot and charcol, and didn't have enough ventilation. Even this flith wasn't cleaned up much - the average Roman pleb probably had to rent a portion of one flat from a landlord, and many families usually lived in a small flat. Because of the height of the cheap blocks, and the distance of the nearest source of water, many just couldn't be bothered to clean out their rooms, making fire a massive risk. Read Juvenal and Terence - they really rip the hell out of insulaes and their dangers. I would agree with you, Raskalnumberone - it would have been better to live in a "domus" in the countryside...if you could afford it

Yes - that's why drainage systems weren't that advanced in the country - the farmer or landlord (more likely landlord) could use the manure to enrich the soil. Also, as you said above, Conon394 - it's rendered harmless when in direct sunlight and dry weather. Since Italy is hot and dry for MOST of the year, we can assume that sewage related issues weren't that large. Think of how late the ancients died!

I love this topic!

I read somewhere that the Roman water-sewage system was originally invented by the Etruscans.

Originally posted by calvo I read somewhere that the Roman water-sewage system was originally invented by the Etruscans.   Does anyone have any more info on the "running water" system in Etruscan cities?