What controversial issue is being argued?

Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended
solids and gases from water. The goal is to produce water fit for a specific purpose. Most water is
disinfected for human consumption (drinking water), but water purification may also be designed for a
variety of other purposes, including fulfilling the requirements of medical, pharmacological, chemical and
industrial applications
Reference:
Water for Life: Making it Happen (PDF). World Health Organization and UNICEF. 2005. ISBN 92-4-
156293-5.
Who is directly involved in on affected by the controversy? Discuss how they are involved or
connected with the topic.

Mechanical Filtration
NSF International as it is now known started out as the National Sanitation Foundation in 1944 at the
University Of Michigan School Of Public Health. The NSF's water treatment Device Certification
Program requires extensive product testing and unannounced audits of production facilities. One goal of
this not for profit organization is to provide assurance to consumers that the water treatment devices they
are purchasing meet the design, material, and performance requirements of national standards.
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., is an independent, accredited testing and certification organization that
certifies home water treatment units which meet or exceed EPA and American National Standard
Institute/National Science Foundation drinking water standards of contaminant reduction, aesthetic
concerns, structural integrity, and materials safety.
Reference:
"Types of Filters". Mountain Empire Community College. Retrieved 2008-10-01.

Biological Filtration
Hans Peterson a microbiologist and the Safe Drinking Water Ambassador for the Safe Drinking Water
Foundation in Canada.
https://www.wateronline.com/doc/biological-filtration-the-future-of-drinking-water-treatment-0001
Jess Brown, the chair of the Biological Drinking Water Treatment Committee for the American Water
Works Association (AWWA)
Reference:
https://www.wateronline.com/doc/biological-filtration-the-future-of-drinking-water-treatment-0001
When and how did the controversy start?
Humans have pursued pure water for thousands of years. Earliest water treatment records come from
Egyptian inscriptions approximately 2000 B.C. As man progressed, technological developments led to
industrial and environmental pollution, requiring higher quality water purification methods. Reverse
osmosis membranes were created as an economical filtration method and ionization methods took
advantage of molecular ion exchange.
Reference:
https://sites.google.com/a/cherrycreekschools.org/water-treatment-systems/activated-sludge/advantages