;

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