History of water disinfection

Figure 1: John Snow Figure 2: contaminated water pump spreads cholera

For the past centuries humans have suffered from diseases such as cholera and the plague. The origin of these diseases was misinterpreted. It was said that the diseases were a devine punishment or were caused by impure air or the alignment of the planets.
1854年霍乱在t造成许多人死亡he city of Londen. John Snow, an English doctor (figure 1), discovered that the cholera epidemic was caused by a contaminated water pump (figure 2). He prevented a spread of the epidemic by closing down the contaminated water pump. After that scientists have performed bacteriological studies to research the development, existence and identification of microorganisms and the removal of microorganisms from drinking water.

In the nineteenth century the effect of disinfectants, such as chlorine, was discovered. Since 1900 disinfectants are largely applied by drinking water companies to prevent the distribution of diseases and to improve water quality.

More information on water disinfection?:

Introduction water disinfectionNecessity water treatmentHistory of drinking water treatment

What is water disinfection?Necessity of drinking water disinfectionHistory of water disinfectionWaterborne diseasesFactors that influence disinfectionConditions of water disinfectionRegulation drinking water disinfection EUUSA

Swimming pool treatmentSwimming pool pollutionsSwimming pool disinfectionSwimming pool disinfection & health

Cooling tower waterCooling tower water pollutionsCooling tower water disinfectionCooling tower water legislation

Chemical disinfectantsChlorineSodium hypochloriteChloraminesChlorine dioxideCopper silver ionizationHydrogen peroxideBrominePeroxonePeracetic acid

Disinfection byproductsTypes of disinfection byproductsResearch on health effects of disinfection byproducts

Chlorinator system