Water will fall from the sky. Drops through the lakes and streams absorbing the energy and essential minerals. Humans drink it, uses the natural ingredients for energy. It is then passed back to the earth where it evaporates and a whole natural cycle is complete. But-that was then.
As the human population grew, water became industrially contaminated, not to mention effect of deforestation. From this unfortunate phase in the history of water, filters were born.
Historians say that the earliest recorded attempt to purify water, was in 2000 BCE. Though people did not understand that impure water may lead to sickness, they simply wanted to create a better tasting water. They boiled hot metal instruments in water to filtering water through crude sand.
Centuries later, Hippocrates, being the father of medicine, believed that water can heal people. He also believed that good tasting, drinking water, is pure and clean. Hence, invented the “Hippocratic Sleeve”. A boiled water poured into a cloth bag that would trap any unwanted particles and odor from the water.
There was no formal invention of water filtration up until 1627. When Sir Francis Bacon experimented on refining the salty sea water for drinking purposes, using the sand filter method. His invention wasn’t successful. The water remained salty and undrinkable. Though scientists would later follow his lead.
The cholera outbreak in the mid 19th century in London, came from poor drinking water. Some people acquired typhoid. A lot died. Except for places where sand water filters have been installed. This led to having the British Government mandate such filters to be set up all over the city.
In order for this to be efficient, the filters need to be cleaned extensively. Being popularized and introduced across Europe, the U.S. Scientists designed a rapid sand filter where they used jet streams to clean it.
Chlorine was eventually added in the treatment process as Municipal Water
Facilities wanted to improve the quality of water. This chemical was tested to be disinfectant. Death rates due to cholera and typhoid decreased dramatically.
The success of chlorination in England influenced the people in New Jersey to do the same thing, later it spread throughout the United States, and most metropolitan areas around the world. However, scientists tested and found out that Chlorine had side effects to the human’s respiratory system. After this was detected, people then had Shower Filters or Whole House Water Systems installed. This is next phase of water filtration technology.
From Municipal Water Treatment Plants to Whole House Water Filters, humans have indeed found a way to solve the current challenge we are facing. The quest for Pure and Healthy Water.
Filtration will continuously develop and evolve as long as there are scientists and innovators.
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