Wastewater Management Journey – From Indus Valley Civilisation to the Twenty-First Century

A comprehensive review of the past and present urban wastewater management is presented in this chapter, including shortcomings of our conventional centralised management systems. A ‘soft path’ for wastewater management is presented as a sustainable alternative. Such an approach emphasises on small-scale management systems, incorporates fit-for-purpose water reuse and recommends the use of diverse, locally appropriate and commonly decentralised infrastructures.