Melosi 12-13
lots of trial and error
systems keep evolving
- growing population
- urbanization
- then shift to suburbs
- technological advancement
- industrial growth
- changing scientific understanding
- what is the public good--human health or the whole
ecosystem?
- what do people see as a problem?
society shapes technology
politics
- changes in dominant views about role of government vs.
role of private industry
- role of federal vs. local government
Sewage treatment in New Deal
PWA: Public Works Administration (New Deal Program)
- contracted with private companies to build roads, dams,
bridges, hospitals, schools, water and sewer plants
- different from the WPA (Works Progress Administration),
which hired unemployed unskilled workers directly and usually
undertook smaller projects
Sewage treatment (rather than just dumping it into a river)
had become the norm
- Mostly separate the water from the sludge and dispose of
the sludge as solid waste
- increasing concern for rivers, not just human health
Refuse = garbage (animal and vegetable waste) + rubbish
(solid wastes other than garbage and ashes)
- How to collect (and pay for collection)
- dump in open pits
- dumping at sea prohibited in 1930s
- development of sanitary landfill, covering the refuse
with dirt (later also lined to prevent seepage)
- recycling some wastes has a long history but depended on
the market
- effect of in-sink garbage disposal?