The Indus Civilization c5.50

c5.50

The rain-water and sewage from the various houses were usually not permitted to flow into the street drain direct, but had first to enter a sump or cess-pit in which was deposited the solid matter. When the sump was three-quarters full, the water flowed into the main drain, and by this method the street drains were prevented from overflowing. Some of the houses in the poorer part of the city evidently could not afford such costly brick cess-pits, and a large jar was used instead to receive the water; these jars sometimes had a hole in the base which allowed the contents to drain gradually away.