Drainage 

System

The flow of water through well-defined channels is known as ‘drainage’ and the network of such
channels is called a ‘drainage system’. The drainage pattern of an area is the outcome of the geological
time period, nature and structure of rocks, topography, slope, amount of water flowing and the
periodicity of the flow.

Modern drainage systems incorporate geotextile filters that retain and prevent fine grains of soil from
passing into and clogging the drain. Geotextiles are synthetic textile fabrics specially manufactured for
civil and environmental engineering applications. Geotextiles are designed to retain fine soil particles
while allowing water to pass through. In a typical drainage system they would be laid along a trench
which would then be filled with coarse granular material: gravel, sea shells, stone or rock. The geotextile
is then folded over the top of the stone and the trench is then covered by soil. Groundwater seeps
through the geotextile and flows within the stone to an outfall. In high groundwater conditions a
perforated plastic (PVC or PE) pipe is laid along the base of the drain to increase the volume of water
transported in the drain.

Alternatively, prefabricated plastic drainage systems made of HDPE called Smart Ditch, often
incorporating geotextile, coco fiber or rag filters can be considered. The use of these materials has
become increasingly more common due to their ease of use which eliminates the need for transporting
and laying stone drainage aggregate which is invariably more expensive than a synthetic drain and
concrete liners.

Over the past 30 years geotextile and PVC filters have become the most commonly used soil filter
media. They are cheap to produce and easy to lay, with factory controlled properties that ensure long
term filtration performance even in fine silty soil conditions.

Drainage system in Harappa

The Indus civilization had an elaborate sanitary and drainage system, the hallmark of ancient Indus
cities., The Authorities maintained a highly efficient drainage system. Each and every house had a
connection with the main drain. These even had inspection holes for maintenance. The conduits to the
main drains running through the middle of the streets below pavement level and covered with flat
stones and sturdy tile bricks. The covered drain was connected to the larger sewerage outlets which
finally led the dirty water outside the populated areas. The urban plan found in these cities included the
world`s first urban sanitation systems. The elaborate brick-lined drainage system for the removal of
rainwater is of unparalleled engineering skill.