Today was a very informative and busy day that began with a tour of the wastewater treatment plant in Prague. It was interesting to see how water was treated in Prague from 1906-1967. The extensive detail and design of the plant illustrated the Czech focus on the importance of proper waste removal from a public health perspective. One of the most impressive parts was the underground section, which was built using nearly 15 million bricks that were transported by horse and carried through manual labor.
Additionally, the pipes were designed in an egg shape to maintain proper water flow and limit sediment buildup. We were also able to see the three layers of water filtration that were used and how machines were created to reduce the need for workers to physically remove large pieces of waste. Before today, I never realized how detailed and carefully designed wastewater treatment systems truly are. Most interestingly, the plant is still usable today.
Later in the day, we attended an engineering lecture focused on how the history of Europe and Prague shaped its engineering and infrastructure. Since Prague is landlocked, it was very interesting to learn how trade still played such an important role in the city’s development and the types of goods that were exchanged throughout history.
Swanson School of Engineering 