Sponge soaks-up pollutants in water wn-off

摘要

Graham Martin-Loat of Smart Sponge Products Ltd looks at a new answer to the problem of hydrocarbon pollutants in surface water run-off. More than two millennia ago, the Romans had already developed a sophisticated drainage system. Open gutters and sewers, for instance, ran down the middle and sides of some of Rome's streets, while excess water from the aqueducts and runoff water from local streams were used to flush the sewers and drains. Naturally, they exported this technology to the lands they conquered. Not surprisingly, their drains were built to last: indeed York still uses a section of Roman sewer that is doing its job after nearly 2000 years, while the Victorian sewer around it is crumbling.