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Chain of Rocks Water Purification Plant
Society
Main Category
Sub Category
Era
Date Created
Location Country
us
Coordinates
38.760556, -90.176389
Address1
Mississippi River
City
St. Louis
State
Country

Clarifying the turbid waters of the Mississippi River for use as drinking water was a formidable challenge. The Chain of Rocks Water Purification Plant provided the first application of a system of flocculation, sedimentation, and rapid sand filtration for water purification.

The system played a major role in reducing the impact of St. Louis' typhoid and cholera epidemic of 1903 that claimed 287 lives. Continued improvements to the plant reduced that number to 91 by 1914. It is estimated that 1,900 lives were likely saved between 1903 and 1915 due to the filtration system.

The plant was the world's largest water treatment and filtration facility when it opened. It remains fully operational and continues to serve the city of St. Louis. 

Image Credit
Public Domain (Author's Choice)
Image Caption
Chain of Rocks Water Purification Plant

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