A method for the energy efficient treatment of polluted wastewater comprising: providing a solid polymer electrolyte electrolytic cell comprising: an anode comprising an anode catalyst layer and an anode fluid delivery layer wherein the anode catalyst layer comprises an anode catalyst; an anode flow field plate; a liquid-electrolyte free cathode comprising a cathode catalyst layer wherein the cathode catalyst layer comprises a cathode catalyst; a cathode flow field plate; a solid polymer membrane electrolyte separating the anode and the cathode; and a filter layer between the anode fluid delivery layer and the anode flow field plate, wherein the anode fluid delivery layer has an anode fluid delivery layer pore size and the average pore size of the filter layer is less than the average pore size of the anode fluid delivery layer; supplying a flow of wastewater comprising a pollutant to the anode of the electrolytic cell; providing a voltage less than about 3 volts across the electrolytic cell wherein the anode is positive with respect to the cathode; and operating the electrolytic cell at an operating temperature and a current density less than about 20 mA/cm 2 and such that the cathode remains liquid-electrolyte free, thereby degrading the pollutant and generating hydrogen gas at the cathode; and exhausting the generated hydrogen gas from the cathode. providing a solid polymer electrolyte electrolytic cell comprising: an anode comprising an anode catalyst layer and an anode fluid delivery layer wherein the anode catalyst layer comprises an anode catalyst; an anode flow field plate; a liquid-electrolyte free cathode comprising a cathode catalyst layer wherein the cathode catalyst layer comprises a cathode catalyst; a cathode flow field plate; a solid polymer membrane electrolyte separating the anode and the cathode; and a filter layer between the anode fluid delivery layer and the anode flow field plate, wherein the anode fluid delivery layer has an anode fluid delivery layer pore size and the average pore size of the filter layer is less than the average pore size of the anode fluid delivery layer; an anode comprising an anode catalyst layer and an anode fluid delivery layer wherein the anode catalyst layer comprises an anode catalyst; an anode flow field plate; a liquid-electrolyte free cathode comprising a cathode catalyst layer wherein the cathode catalyst layer comprises a cathode catalyst; a cathode flow field plate; a solid polymer membrane electrolyte separating the anode and the cathode; and a filter layer between the anode fluid delivery layer and the anode flow field plate, wherein the anode fluid delivery layer has an anode fluid delivery layer pore size and the average pore size of the filter layer is less than the average pore size of the anode fluid delivery layer; supplying a flow of wastewater comprising a pollutant to the anode of the electrolytic cell; providing a voltage less than about 3 volts across the electrolytic cell wherein the anode is positive with respect to the cathode; and operating the electrolytic cell at an operating temperature and a current density less than about 20 mA/cm 2 and such that the cathode remains liquid-electrolyte free, thereby degrading the pollutant and generating hydrogen gas at the cathode; and exhausting the generated hydrogen gas from the cathode.