Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Water Filtration Experiments

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

1. Water Filtration Experiments Marker

Inscription. Water Filtration Experiments On this site, 1895-1897, George Warren Fuller, now known as "the father of sanitary engineering,” conducted the first scientific testing of water filtration. For a year, four companies tested filter devices to clean the muddy water of the Ohio River. Fuller continued his experiments for another year.

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The data he collected led to a 3-part system that includes sand and gravel filtration. This system purified Ohio River water so well that when filtering began in 1909, the number of deaths from typhoid fever declined by 60%. Fuller's purification system formed the basis of modern water filtration.
Sponsored by the Louisville Water Company

Erected 2016 by Kentucky Historical Society · Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2505.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine.

Location. 38° 16.804′ N, 85° 42.097′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of River Road and Zorn Avenue, on the right when traveling south on River Road. Located in Louisville Water Tower Park.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3005 River Road, Louisville KY 40207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Water Works Pumping Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisville Water Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Hospital (approx. one mile away in Indiana); Patriots Peace Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Beechland (approx. 1½ miles away); The Heigold Facade (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mockingbird Valley (approx. 1.8 miles away); Kentucky School for the Blind (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . George W. Fuller on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 6, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

2. Water Filtration Experiments Marker

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

3. Water Filtration Experiments Marker

Some of the Buildings of the Louisville WaterWorks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

4. Some of the Buildings of the Louisville WaterWorks

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.