The sewage system of the city of Venice, Italy

The sewage system of the city of Venice, Italy is a bit strange, and it often attracts the attention of tourists on the tour of Venice, Italy, and arouses their curiosity, how does the sewage system work in this city standing on the water? Stay with us to learn more about this system.

Sewerage system in the city of Venice

Venice is divided into two old-historical parts and the suburban part which is newly added to this space. The sewer system of the city of Venice, Italy, in the old part, is a network of brick and stone tunnels that are placed under the streets and connected to a waterway, this old system is known to the locals as Gatoli. Gatoli are constantly layered. Because heavy sediments settle at the bottom of the tunnel and the liquid material slides over it and exits the tunnel until it reaches the canal.

Since the 1500s, Gatoli have been collecting sewage and rainwater and channeling it into canals to eventually overflow into the lagoon. However, in the more recently built countryside, such as in areas such as Sacca Fistula, Giudecca, Santa Marta, Sant’Elena and Murano, the urban sewage system consists of networks of modern pipes that ultimately discharge the sewage into the lagoon.

Renovation of the sewage system of the city of Venice, Italy with modern standards

In order to adapt to the sanitary standards at a modern level, reservoirs have been considered for buildings and for factories, the method of complete wastewater treatment has been adopted. In addition to these measures, a general plan for the renovation of the sewage system of the city of Venice, Italy, has been considered, which is as follows.

• In the old area of ​​the city, which has a much more fragile structure, there is no possibility of renovation. But, they are going to optimize and restore the same old sewage system.
• A newly built suburb has less problems from an environmental point of view and a new sewage network can be installed there.

The modernization of Venice’s sewage system was carried out in such a way that the white water network was allocated to rainwater and the black water network was allocated to the water consumed by the houses, which are transferred to the treatment plants.

Why did Gatoli need to be rebuilt?

With the help of the Gatoli system, the streets of the city were clean and free of any pollution, and the wetlands also had an antiseptic effect. Until the 1960s, when the Italian economy got a boost and people were able to buy washing machines and dishwashers, the use of detergents and toilet paper increased and the aqueducts built allowed people to use more fresh water than before. was giving As a result, more sewage entered the ghatolis and this was more than the resilience of the old structure of the ghatolis. Until the 1990s, not much work was done to clean the canals of the city and Gatoli.

Has the problem of Venice’s urban sewage been solved?

In order not to block the holes along the channels that were connected to the Gatoli, these holes were moved a little higher. When high tides occur, these holes no longer remain below the surface of the water as in the past. As a result of bad smell, unbearable unsanitary conditions, rats and insects covered the surface of the environment.

Years later, it was decided to replace the old infrastructure with a renovation plan and create a modern sewage system, where it was not clear which house’s sewage was entering Gatoli. This plan included the creation of tanks that were almost as functional as Gatoli. Another part of this plan was to clean the canals.

Today, more than 7,000 tanks collect urban wastewater. These tanks are responsible for managing sewage so that liquid waste does not contaminate the water that is directed to the canal. There are also special boats that empty these tanks of solid sediments.

Disadvantages of municipal sewage tanks in Venice

Even these tanks have disadvantages and their use is not always practical. Every tank needs space for storage, which cannot be placed in a public space or close to the main space of the house. Another problem is the capacity of the tanks. The volume of each tank is considered according to the number of members of a house, which would cause problems if another person enters.

Even if there is enough space to install tanks, there is still a problem. By digging in the ground to place the tank, you will encounter the foundations of buildings and the foundation stone of each building, which may cause problems with the strength and stability of a house.

Restoration of the municipal sewage system of Venice, Italy, old texture

In the old city limits, in addition to the construction of tanks, the existing system has been upgraded and updated with the aim of greater efficiency.

• Renovation of sections and slopes
• Removal of settled sediments
• Revival of Gatoli
• Waterproofing the internal walls with fiberglass or elastoplastic materials
• Create space for maintenance
• Reconstruction of drainage outlets in canals
• Reconstruction of the rainwater network

Living in Venice means understanding and accepting the uniqueness and diversity of this beautiful and dreamy city. The use of organic detergents and special toilet paper helps a lot to the sewage system of the city of Venice, Italy. There is a sewage problem in all the cities of the world and it unfortunately pollutes the rivers and seas. However, in Venice, due to the conditions of the city and the expansion of the city’s population compared to the past, this problem is more visible and they have tried to solve its problems with important measures. by traveling with Tour of Italy and Venice You will have a lot of experience of this completely different city.