Having fully functioning sewage systems was one of the ways that we have been able to drastically improve human health and life expectancy and there have been a number of key eras over time that have had a positive impact on the way that we channel clean water into our homes and remove wastewater and products.

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During the Tudor era, we made a lot of progress with finding ways of dealing with wastewater. With the addition of diverse people and goods, overcrowding  in cities and towns resulted in more cash and more jobs. It also means creating more waste. Additional waste water started to flow and clog the streets. It was a factor that was instrumental in the spread of illnesses such as cholera and epidemics. Before this waste was thrown away it would sit in the streets festering. Human health is one of the main reasons why we need to ensure our drains are fully functioning and any issues can be dealt with quickly by contacting a Drainage Cleaning company.

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Flushing toilets were a crucial discovery, invented in the 1590s by Sir John Harrington, but needed time to be adapted, using valves that permitted the flow of wastewater. The Thames was only used for free-flow open sewers until the 1800s. One year, city authorities were forced to take action during the summer when the city was overwhelmed with a horrific smell from the river when all the municipal waste clogged it.

To prevent such issues, Joseph Bazalgette who was the chief engineer for water work in London started work on a full sewage system. This was adapted elsewhere.