Evolution of Hydro-Technologies and Relevant Associations Focusing on Hellenic World

Abstract

Hydro-technologies, and especially the need for developing drinking water treatments, have been known since the ancient times. Water supply treatment devices were developed even during prehistoric times but were especially improved during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Nevertheless, after several centuries, particularly during the last two, intensive and effective efforts have been made all over the world to obtain sufficient amounts of water with the necessary quality to improve the quality of life and health of humankind. As a result, life expectancy has globally increased at unprecedented rates, especially in the developed world. This paper represents an effort to study the relationship between water history, the development of water-related technologies, and the health and quality of ecosystems, especially those affecting human beings. Thus, it should be pointed out that: The history of water is equivalent to the history of the world, and the history of water quality is equivalent to the history of quality of life (Andreas N. Angelakis).