Business Insider
Science

You Might Think These People Are Crazy For Swimming In Venice's Flooded Streets Once You See How Their Sewer System Works

Flooding in Venice, tourists swimmingTorrential rains and unusually high tide has caused widespread flooding in Venice, Italy, leaving 75 percent of the city under water this week. 

Although high tide, known as Acqua Alta, is common during this time of year, Sunday's water levels reached 5 feet, the sixth highest since records began in 1872. 

See how Venice's old sewer system works > 

Many Venetians and tourists took the opportunity to throw on bathing suits and enjoy a swim in the city's flooded streets and squares — though we're not sure how good of an idea this is. 

The city does not have a complete modern sewage system, meaning its canals are also its sewer system. This poses some obvious health and sanitation concerns.  

An Italian hotelier, whose hotel entrance was flooded, described the health risks to the Sydney Morning Herald. He said: "this is not clean water — you need to mop with disinfectant twice after it goes down."

A video called Venice Backstage describes how the floating city works, including its old sewer system. We've highlighted the main points, but recommend checking out the full documentary to learn more about the city's canals, buildings and history.  

High water, called acqua alta, spills water from Venice's canals onto the streets.

Venice Flood Spill
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

Although some residents and tourists are making the best of the rising waters, it should pose basic health concerns.

Flooding in Venice, tourists swimming
AP Photo/Luigi Costantini

That's because some parts of Venice still rely on the historical sewer system.

Venice Sewer
Vimeo/ Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

Wastewater from houses and buildings travel down the house.

Venice Sewer
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

The waste reaches the sewer system underground.

Sewer Venice
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

The sewage is released into masonry tunnels.

Venice Sewer
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

The sewage collects in these tunnels and flows into the canals.

Venice Sewer
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

Household waste is washed out into the ocean twice a day with the tides, exchanging old water with new water.

Venice Sewer
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

There is a modern system that uses septic tanks to treat water before draining into the canals. The International Water Association says there are more than 6,000 septic tanks in Venice, but many people still rely on the old sewage system.

Venice Sewer
Vimeo/Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?

Check out a different kind of wild.

lions eating zebra
Julie Zeveloff/Business Insider

Read next

Jump to

  1. Main content
  2. Search
  3. Account