Technological Advancements

• In 1775, Alexander Cummings invented the S-trap, which was a sealed toilet bowl, preventing foul air from coming up from the sewer.
• In 1912, scientists at Manchester University developed a sewage treatment system of activated sludge, whereby the sewage was biologically treated to make it safe.
• In 1829, the Chelsea Waterworks Company became the first in the country to install a sand filtration system to purify the water taken from the River Thames.