Sewer

Object Lessons explores the hidden lives of ordinary things, including underground pipes, sewers, and clogs, to understand human eating habits, disease spread, and environmental impact. Jessica Leigh Hester argues that sewers can be a mirror to the world above, offering a fresh way to approach questions about urbanization, public health, infrastructure, ecology, sustainability, and consumerism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Object Lessons is a captivating series of beautifully designed books that delve into the hidden lives of ordinary things. In this essay, we explore the fascinating world of underground pipes and their role in shaping human eating habits, disease containment, and environmental sustainability.

Underground pipes are a vital part of our infrastructure, transporting wastewater and other waste materials from homes and businesses to treatment plants. However, they also play a crucial role in the spread of disease, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. As sewage flows through pipes, it can pick up pathogens and other harmful substances, which can then be released into waterways, posing a risk to public health.

One of the primary concerns with underground pipes is the amount of plastic and trash that they spit out into waterways around the world. Plastic waste is a major contributor to pollution, and it can take hundreds of years to break down. When plastic waste enters waterways, it can harm marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and even enter the human food chain.

To address this issue, many cities and governments are investing in infrastructure upgrades to reduce the amount of plastic and trash that enters their sewer systems. This includes installing filters and other technologies to capture and remove plastic waste from wastewater before it reaches waterways. However, these upgrades can be expensive, and they may not be effective in all areas.

Another challenge facing underground pipes is the increasing number of clogs. Clogs can occur when debris, such as hair, soap, and grease, builds up in the pipes. Clogs can cause sewage backups, which can lead to flooding and property damage. They can also be difficult and expensive to remove.

Jessica Leigh Hester, author of Object Lessons, leads readers through the past, present, and future of the system humans have created to deal with our own waste. She argues that sewers can be seen as a mirror to the world above at a time when our behaviors are drastically reshaping the environment for the worse.

Sifting through the muck offers a fresh way to approach questions about urbanization, public health, infrastructure, ecology, sustainability, and consumerism—and what we value. Without understanding sewers, any attempt to steward the future is incomplete.

Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic. The series explores the intersection of science, technology, and the humanities, and it features contributions from leading scholars and writers.

In conclusion, underground pipes are a vital part of our infrastructure, but they also play a crucial role in the spread of disease and environmental sustainability. By investing in infrastructure upgrades and addressing the issue of clogs, we can help to protect public health and the environment. Object Lessons provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the hidden lives of ordinary things.

Dimension: 165 x 121 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501379505