The Middle Ages and Renaissance: Slow Progress in Water Treatment

II. The Middle Ages and Renaissance: Slow Progress in Water Treatment

During the Middle Ages, water purification methods didn’t experience significant advancements. People mainly relied on the natural filtration provided by rivers and lakes, or they continued to use the basic techniques passed down from ancient times. However, as cities grew and populations became more concentrated, the need for better water treatment became more pressing.
The Renaissance period brought some changes. Scientists and inventors began to explore new ideas for water purification. For instance, there were attempts to create more efficient filters using materials like charcoal, which was known for its ability to adsorb impurities. Although these early charcoal – based filters were not as effective as modern ones, they represented a step forward in the development of water purification technology.

The Middle Ages and Renaissance: Slow Progress in Water Treatment