Evolution of urban waste- And storm-water management in the region of Crete, Greece: A preliminary assessment

Abstract

The history of water supply and wastewater engineering in Crete Island (Greece) dates back more than ca 4,500 years, since the early Bronze Ages. In the Minoan era, it was recognized that the removal of wastewater and storm-water were necessary for communal living. The early Minoan developments in wastewater and storm-water collection and removal are the cornerstones on which modern cities are built. The evolution of wastewater and storm-water management from prehistoric to modern times in Crete is examined briefly in this paper. Information on the current status and future strategies for wastewater and storm-water management is also presented.