ENVS-423 POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES 3(2-1)

Lec-1: Historical Overview of Water Treatment

Dr. Nisar Muhammad

Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Science
Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan 1
 Water Treatment
 Definition:

“Any process that improves the quality of water to make it appropriate for
a specific end-use (drinking, industrial water supply, irrigation, river flow
maintenance, water recreation or many other)”.

Ex: 1. Physical (Dilution, sedimentation, filtration)

2. Chemical (Chemical conversions)

3. Biological (Microorganisms)
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 History of Water Treatment
• Sanskrit: 2000 BC- Boiling

• Greek: 800 BC- Filtration

• Ancient Egypt: 300 BC- Alum-for precipitation

• Roman Empire: 27 BC- Wick Siphons-Settling of SS

• Hippocrates: 460-370 BC- Father of Medicine- “ Whoever wish to study

the science of medicine, should consider the water that the inhabitants
use………………………………. Water contributes much to health.
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 History of Water Treatment-Conti
• Roman empire: (64 BC-24 AD)- Constructed settling basins

(incorporated with Pebbles) in aqueducts of the headworks.

• City of Venice (Iceland): Rooftop water Filtration sand filters.

• Paisley (Scotland): 1804 AD-1st city credited with treated (settling &

filtration) water supply.

• Virginia (US): 1932 AD- Practiced filtration 4

 History of Water Treatment-Conti
• Europe and US: (1930-1950)- Filtration for aesthetic purpose-
Unknowingly benefited removal of microbes that reduced water born
diseases.

• 1980: Acceptance of germ theory: “Microorganisms known as pathogens

or "germs" can lead to disease” Disinfection (Bleach & Hypochlorite).

• 1902: 1st permanent installation for chlorinating water –Belgium.

• 1909: Production of liquid Chlorine.

• 1913: Practice of liquid chlorine- Philadelphia 5

 History of Water Treatment-Conti
 Modern Technologies:

• The Use of Nanotechnology

• Reverse Osmosis Purification

• Advanced Oxidation Technology

• Ozonation

• Ion Exchange Technology

• etc etc etc ……

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Thanks for your
attention

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