In 1871, construction of a municipal drinking water filtration plant in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., dramatically reduces the incidence of typhoid fever in that area. The first successful slow sand filtration plant in America was placed into service July 8, 1872. The success of this project was heralded as epidemics all but disappeared and Poughkeepsie could no longer be called a »Sickly City«. Filtration plant was used till 1962. Chlorine was added in 1909.
References:
- Rollins L, Harter T (2008). Watersheds, Groundwater and Drinking Water: A Practical Guide.
- https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/Operations/Treatment/Documents/slowsand/ssfppspart1of4notes.pdf
Photo: https://thisdayinwaterhistory.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/0324-disinfecting-at-poughkeepsie.jpg?w=625&h=496