History of water treatment
4000 BC
Treatement with physical methods using filtration, charcoal and sunlight
1500 BC
Egyptians introduced the use of coagulants (Alum) for the purification of drinking water.
300-200 BC
Romans built the first aqueducts; Archimedes’s screw was introduced
1627
First trials with desalination of sea water
1700s
Introduction of water filters for households
1911
Phosphorus removal with aluminium and iron coagulants successfully tested
1970s
Phosphorus removal with coagulants became standard practice
1998
The European Drinking Water Directive regulates the quality of water intented for human consumption
2010
UN General Assembly recognised the human right to water and sanitation