A historical, policy‑driven look at Chicago’s struggle to provide clean drinking water and safe sewage disposal.
This book analyzes a century of public health decisions and their consequences.
Chicago’s Sewage and Water Supply contains a thorough report on the city’s drainage schemes, water quality, and the law behind sanitary districts. It presents expert evaluations, historical debate, and practical recommendations for safer systems, now essential for readers interested in urban planning, public health, and environmental policy.
- How Chicago’s main drainage and disposal efforts evolved, including the Drainage Canal and Sanitary and Ship Canal.
- Critiques of open sewers and the push for intercepting sewers and modern treatment plants.
- Foundations of policy, law, and financing for large‑scale sanitary works in a growing metropolis.
- Evidence from scientific and state investigations about water quality, dilution, and self‑purification debates.
Ideal for readers of urban history, public health policy, and readers seeking a nonprofit, evidence‑based view of how cities confront water safety and sewage challenges.