The Hidden History Of A Household Revolution You Never Knew About!
July 28, 2024
source: William Jackson/Facebook
My first experience of the installation of the family’s first septic system was in the late 1960s as related to me by my grandfather. This was a major improvement from the facility that was there from the early 1900s up to the time of the completion of the new one. He described it with the air of accomplishment and happiness; happiness of stepping into the world of modern people and relief that one did not have to go out into the cold to answer the call of nature. This only provided convenience, but at the same time it signified a change in their way of life and interaction with the environment.
Septic systems’ evolution started with basic yet effective concepts in the last part of the 19th century with the effort of visionaries like John Mouras. His creation in the mid 19th century in France was the starting point for what is now an essential part of the domestic landscape in many countries’ rural communities. These systems started to spread in America by the 1920s especially in the regions that lacked the municipal sewer systems. These early systems were basic, depending on gravity to let solids settle at the bottom of the water and thus allowing for the water to seep into the ground which was quite innovative for the time.
The use of the septic system also pointed to other social transitions going on at the time. It let people construct their houses away from the main cities and other centralized structures that formed suburban communities. Such an independence from the urban centers influenced the demographic and geographical structures that are observed nowadays. The introduction of the septic system proved that the community was gradually falling in line with the advancements of society, in addition to positively influencing the health and ease of individuals.
Each and every old septic system has its history and that history is almost always a story of problems and their resolutions. One of the main problems was the issue of maintenance, as the systems, both in terms of design, as well as clogging, failed often. Currently, the use of septic systems is much convenient and less problematic; however, the early challenges and the joy of standing on our own technological feet are not easily forgotten by those who have personally witnessed it.
Analyzing the history of septic systems is not only the recognition of the systems’ purpose but also the appreciation of the evolution. It makes people remember about the need to be persistent and creative in order to make the living standard better and control the negative impact on the environment.
The older septic systems are a clear example of how mankind has been making efforts to enhance the levels of sanitation and health. Thus, reflecting on the past helps to recall how mankind has advanced in terms of comfort and awareness of the environment, highlighting that even such everyday items have their own histories.