A History of Utilities: Their Place in Our World

This presentation offers a lively and engaging look at the long and sometimes messy history of utilities—especially how humans have dealt with water and waste. From ancient Mesopotamian sewers and Roman aqueducts to medieval moats and the rise of the modern flush toilet, we explore how sanitation systems evolved (and sometimes regressed) through the centuries. Touching on disease, innovation, and municipal reluctance, the talk highlights how far we’ve come—and how much we’ve had to relearn. With today’s focus on asset management and sustainable practices, it’s clear our age-old “piping problems” are still very much part of the story.