The history of the home water filter

AI Thread Summary
Home water filters have become common in households, with their design evolving significantly over time. The discussion highlights that while some believe the need for filtration arose after World War II due to contaminated water, the practice of purifying drinking water dates back thousands of years, with early methods including charcoal use by the Phoenicians. Henry Doulton is noted for developing the modern ceramic water filter in the 19th century, which gained royal endorsement and recognition for its effectiveness. The conversation also touches on the variety of filters available, their purposes, and the subjective preferences people have regarding water taste and mineral content. Understanding the history and functionality of specific systems like Reverse Osmosis is encouraged for further insights.
qnach
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Now home water filter is ubiquitous using almost every family. I am wondering who designed such systems (and become its standard form used today) ? I think after second world war the New York water is pretty dirty hence the development of such filter. But I am not sure whether it is correct or not.
 
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qnach said:
Now home water filter is ubiquitous using almost every family.
That has not been my experience. Is that just your opinion or do you have evidence for it?
 
I think the use of filters varies much around the world depending on the municipal water system. Some systems do a better job than others.

There are also many kinds of filters, with different purposes. Some filter out particles. Some bad odors. Some bad tastes.

Some people like the mineral taste in their water. Other people don't like it. If you taste relatively pure distilled water, many people don't like it.

So we really can't answer your question unless you give more specifics.
 
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qnach said:
Now home water filter is ubiquitous using almost every family. I am wondering who designed such systems (and become its standard form used today) ? I think after second world war the New York water is pretty dirty hence the development of such filter. But I am not sure whether it is correct or not.
Unless you have a specific type of system in mind, making drinking water clean is something humans have been doing for many thousands of years, and likely since the dawn of civilization. It's likely one of the fundamental development enablers right up there in importance to discovering fire and wearing the skins of dead animals.
 
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The Phoenicians used charcoal to purify drinking water on their ships at least as far back as 400 B.C.
 
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The current Wikipedia article on "Ceramic water filter" says
Henry Doulton invented the modern form of ceramic candle sanitary water filter in 1827. In 1835, Queen Victoria commissioned him to produce such a device for her personal use. By 1846, Doulton ceramics was widely recognized as a premier manufacturer of an effective prevention device for treating infective water. In 1887, Doulton was knighted, in part for his work with water filters.

It would interesting to know the history of residential water filters that are attached directly to the pipes in a house.
 
AH James said:
Would like to have an insight on the latest filters such as RO? How Reverse Osmosis System works and why it considered the waste of water?
Please read this article first. Then you can return with specific questions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis
 
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