The Role of Pasteur Institute of Iran in Disinfection of Drinking Water of Tehran (1950-1954)

Since about 100 years ago, the size and population of Tehran have increased significantly and water scarcity has caused some serious problems. Since 1941, owing to the shortages of drinking water, plans have been made to use Tehran’s groundwater in reservoirs, Qanat and rivers; then due to the pollution of these waters, new challenges were risen how to access to the safe water. Following the outbreak of typhoid in Tehran, which caused the contamination of drinking water in 1950, the task of water disinfection in Tehran was given to Pasteur Institute of Iran. In collaboration with the Municipality of Tehran, the surface water of the city was disinfected temporarily by changing the direction of some parts of the Qanats, chlorination of Qanat waters and excavation of shallow wells. Following this action, water treatment was set up in Tehran and then, the water supply piping was carried out. This article reviews the role of Pasteur Institute of Iran in disinfecting the drinking water of Tehran and controlling the typhoid outbreak during 1950-1954