Does the name Ruelle aux Puits evoke images of wells? This Parisian street’s story is more about water’s less glamorous side. We’re talking about the sewers of Paris.
The Ruelle aux Puits is intimately linked with the history of the city itself. The evolution of Paris and its sewers are intertwined. The development of one directly influenced the other.
By the late 18th century, Paris’s sewers became a problem. Disease spread through the capital. The 19th century brought technical advancements. Sewers became more agile. They wound beneath the city. They formed a unified network. Paris began to breathe easier.
These sewers became a symbol of France’s industrial heritage. They played a crucial role in the city’s sanitation. They also inspired artists. Writers sent heroes and villains through the endless underground network.
Today, the sewers contribute to Paris’s image as a green city. They reflect modern ecological concerns.
Back in the early 1800s, Paris had a sewer system. Yet it didn’t fully function as the city’s “digestive organ.” In 1800, only 16 km of sewers served 550000 people.
In 1806, sewer management fell to the engineers of Bridges and Causeways.
The first true sewer system appeared in 1833. It aimed to collect rainwater and street runoff from fountains. This new system allowed water to flow beneath the city. Paris’s waste gradually drained away. The city was freed from its liquid waste. This waste was used to fertilize crops outside Paris.
By 1865, fresh spring water was distributed through the city. Non-drinking water was provided for parks and street cleaning.
The public could visit the sewers during the World’s Fair in 1867. Galleries were made taller. This made work easier for sewer workers.
The sewers became a complete network by 1894. They carried solid waste along with liquids and sewage. Wastewater irrigation grew until 1909. It then began to decline.
In the 20th century, sewers began to accommodate more. Drinking water pipes and pneumatic mail tubes were added. Today, they house 141259 km of fiber optics. Parisians enjoy high-speed internet thanks to these underground tunnels.
Mortality rates in Paris were high in the 18th and 19th centuries. The capital suffered from poor hygiene. Sewers often overflowed.
Cholera epidemics struck in 1832, 1849, and 1884. Some blamed “air corruption.” Others pointed to dense populations. Still others cited “miasms” from accumulated rubbish.
Drinking water became contaminated. Sewage polluted table water and wells. Doctors suggested discharging contaminated water into the sewers. This marked a major shift in the underground network’s purpose.
Eugène Belgrand played a key role in shaping the Paris sewers. He was appointed to manage Paris’s water service in 1854. Belgrand set up spring water catchments. He aimed to provide the city with pure water. This system also used the sewers. Non-drinking water was supplied for parks, gardens, and streets.
Belgrand also developed machines for sewer maintenance. These included valve boats and injector machines. Some of these devices are still in use today.
As the sewers expanded, the streets above changed. The evolution of one impacted the other.
Early on, wastewater was seen as a valuable resource. Victor Hugo called organic waste “human fertilizer.” He believed that discarding it was a waste. From 1868 to the early 20th century, sewage water was used for agricultural irrigation. This treated wastewater and fertilized the land. Crop yields increased. Parisians were fed.
However, more buildings were connected to the sewer system. The volume of wastewater increased. Fields decreased due to urbanization. Health concerns arose. Chemical fertilizers became competitive. As a result, wastewater irrigation was gradually abandoned.
Sewage treatment plants were built. Their residues are treated and used in agriculture today. The Ruelle aux Puits reminds us of this hidden history. It’s a story of disease, innovation, and the ongoing quest for a cleaner city.