IWA Specialist Group Ancient Water in Ancient Civilisations

https://iwa-network.org/groups/water-and-wastewater-in-ancient-civilizations/

The IWA specialist group started uts activities in 2006, with a first dedicated conference held in Heraklion, which was a great opportunity to consolidate the group objectives and set the base for a network of likeminded professionals.

Other conferences were held in Bari, Istanbul, Coimbra, Jordan.

The group is dedicated to reveal technological heritage in ancient civilizations worldwide in order to:

(a) assist to make visible the remaining of hydro-technologies

(b) describe and evaluate them

(c) develop new sustainable water and wastewater systems based on old principles and today knowledge and infrastructure

(d) create monuments of inspiration for the water future.

The most of ancient hydro-technologies were decentralized, cost-effective, friendly to the environment, and highly sustainable.

Understanding the ancient practices can contribute to define that broad, multidisciplinary culture of water, that we need to inspire younger generations and set the base for correct water management practices, considerate noty only of technical and managerial issues, but also of the socio-cultural aspects deeply rooted in our communities' past.