The filtration method was rudimentarily implemented by primitive man, who realized that by making a hole in the sand deeper than the level of the natural source of water, understood as a river, stream, lagoon or other body natural surface water, obtained a clear fluid by the same effect of the filtration performed by the sand. Being things like that, we see that it is a natural process, very similar to the one given when water falls due to atmospheric precipitation (rain), infiltrates through the different layers of the earth and forms aquifers. Groundwater tanks are called aquifers, but not superficial ones; It is important that you keep it in mind to nurture the environmental glossary.
Having known the previous processes, we are on track to know how old this practice is, according to the theory of filtration, recognized by the Pan American Center for Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Sciences, a society dependent on the World Health Organization, the filters initially they had a domestic use, among the most frequent, the use of hollow and porous stones was implemented where the water was distilled prior to its consumption. Notice that it started with the practice of pouring water into hollow and porous stones. You know why? Because they were realizing that the mineral action of the permeable sand and rocks retained the suspended solids and other foreign bodies that I mentioned in the first paragraph.
In this way, water filtration begins to be implemented in the European continent; Also, the first mechanisms to purify the valuable fluid are designed and built. Here it is worth making a small digression, because as you start to use this method, you will delve into the work and effect on raw water; it is then, when they realize that not only was the separation of suspended particles obtained, but in that process organic matter was transformed. Considerations that support the postulates of Canepa, who among other things argues that:
Slow sand filtration is the oldest water treatment system used by mankind. It is very simple and effective because it copies exactly the process of purification that occurs in nature when crossing rainwater to strata of the earth's crust until finding aquifers or underground rivers. The first slow filtration plant that is remembered was installed in Paisley, Scotland, in 1804 and since then this type of system has been used uninterruptedly in Great Britain and the rest of Europe, mainly due to its great efficiency in the removal of pathogenic microorganisms.…Fuente
In this way, the author's statements are contrasted with the evolutionary filtering process, note that at this time we are already talking about the removal of pathogenic microorganisms. Red light is put on the traffic light and bacteria, protozoa, hogs, viruses and other agents responsible for causing diseases are denied; later with the studies of L. Pasteur (1822 - 1895), microbiology would be renowned; demonstrated surprising discoveries in the well-known theory of germs, the bacteriological aspect in the process of water filtration, takes great relevance and already at the end of the 19th century, many European and American populations begin to build plants for treatment of drinking water human.
Today, there is a variety of products for domestic use, which are marketed by private companies dedicated to the branch of purification of valuable water resources. In the same way, many treatment plants were built based on the conventional method for purification. It seems that the arrival of new technology, put aside the use and perfection of the slow sand filter (biological filtration); However, the Hesperiam Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, in its Agua para Vivir project, is trying to recover this ancient technique to guarantee water quality in the most needy populations of the world. Source
According to the new techniques for water filtering, they estimated from archaic to slow filter; conception that emerged by the evolved methods that are used on a large scale in major cities; basically, it was assumed that due to its composition and rudimentary mechanism, the slow sand filter should be inferior to the newest treatment mechanisms. Paradoxical, but not so, international organizations with a recognized track record on public health issues officially endorse and recognize their effectiveness in the elimination of
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In this sense, recent research drives the resurgence of the slow filter, allowing us to deeply understand this complex process that takes place naturally, without the application of any chemical, but which requires a good design, as well as an appropriate and careful operation. maintenance, so as not to affect the biological mechanism of the filter and reduce the efficiency of microbiological removal. Due to these considerations, it is to be assumed that knowledge should be promoted and disseminated to promote this long-lived filtering method, which, among other things, is extremely economical and easy to use. This is how in a next installment, I will be talking about the construction of this valuable filtering device that ensures the safety of water in your home.
