A method for producing a sodium hypochlorite solution, comprising: (a) obtaining an electrolytic cell comprising a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane configured to selectively transport sodium ions, the ceramic membrane separating an anolyte compartment configured with an anode and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode, wherein the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane comprises a NaSICON material; (b) providing an impure sodium chloride solution containing calcium, magnesium, or other precipitable cations in the anolyte compartment of the cell; (c) providing water and sodium ions in the catholyte compartment of the electrolytic cell; (d) applying an electric current to the electrolytic cell thereby: i. oxidizing chloride anions in the anolyte compartment according to the following reaction: 2Cl - → Cl 2 + 2e - and forming hypochlorous acid according to the following reaction: Cl 2 + H 2 O → HOCl + HCl; ii. causing sodium ions to pass through the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment; and iii. decomposing water in the presence of sodium ions in the catholyte compartment according to the following reaction: Na + + H 2 O + e - → NaOH + 1⁄2H 2; (e) withdrawing and transporting sodium hydroxide solution from the catholyte compartment to the anolyte compartment in a controlled fashion to produce sodium hypochlorite in the anolyte compartment according to the following reaction: HOCl + HCl + 2NaOH → NaOCl + NaCl + 2H 2 O; and (f) maintaining a pH of the impure sodium chloride solution within the anolyte compartment at a pH greater than 7 and less than 8; and (g) removing a solution comprising sodium hypochlorite from the anolyte compartment. (a) obtaining an electrolytic cell comprising a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane configured to selectively transport sodium ions, the ceramic membrane separating an anolyte compartment configured with an anode and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode, wherein the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane comprises a NaSICON material; (b) providing an impure sodium chloride solution containing calcium, magnesium, or other precipitable cations in the anolyte compartment of the cell; (c) providing water and sodium ions in the catholyte compartment of the electrolytic cell; (d) applying an electric current to the electrolytic cell thereby: i. oxidizing chloride anions in the anolyte compartment according to the following reaction: 2Cl - → Cl 2 + 2e - and forming hypochlorous acid according to the following reaction: Cl 2 + H 2 O → HOCl + HCl; ii. causing sodium ions to pass through the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment; and iii. decomposing water in the presence of sodium ions in the catholyte compartment according to the following reaction: Na + + H 2 O + e - → NaOH + 1⁄2H 2; i. oxidizing chloride anions in the anolyte compartment according to the following reaction: 2Cl - → Cl 2 + 2e - and forming hypochlorous acid according to the following reaction: Cl 2 + H 2 O → HOCl + HCl; ii. causing sodium ions to pass through the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment; and iii. decomposing water in the presence of sodium ions in the catholyte compartment according to the following reaction: Na + + H 2 O + e - → NaOH + 1⁄2H 2; (e) withdrawing and transporting sodium hydroxide solution from the catholyte compartment to the anolyte compartment in a controlled fashion to produce sodium hypochlorite in the anolyte compartment according to the following reaction: HOCl + HCl + 2NaOH → NaOCl + NaCl + 2H 2 O; and (f) maintaining a pH of the impure sodium chloride solution within the anolyte compartment at a pH greater than 7 and less than 8; and (g) removing a solution comprising sodium hypochlorite from the anolyte compartment.