BRUSSELS: On World Toilet Day, observed on November 19, the founder of the renowned company Microsoft and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, Bill Gates, descended into the sewers of Brussels.
For the billionaire, it was a day that saw him enter a sewer in Belgian capital to explore the underground water waste system in the city.
The former CEO of software giant Microsoft also shared a video of his visit to the Brussels Sewer Museum on Instagram.
“It stinks and there are rats”, the 68-year-old Gates says in the video.
“I explored the hidden history of Brussels’ sewage system—and the role of wastewater in global health—for this year’s #WorldToiletDay,” the caption in the video emphasized.
Within the footage, a text graphic provided insights into the city’s history, tracing back to the 1800s when sewage was dumped into the Senne River, leading to devastating cholera epidemics. The graphic highlighted the contemporary transformation, illustrating the current 200-mile network of sewers and treatment plants that effectively process the city’s waste.
This is not the first instance of Gates, the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, immersing himself in hands-on experiences to address global challenges.
With a mission that includes raising awareness about sanitation in developing countries, Gates had previously engaged in unconventional activities. In 2015, he simulated drinking water derived from “faecal sludge,” and the following year, he shared a photo documenting his commitment to addressing sanitation issues.
