Patent ID: 7413663

Claim:
A water treatment apparatus adapted to remove at least one of organic, inorganic, and radiological contaminants from untreated liquid water to produce potable water suitable for human consumption, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet for receiving untreated liquid water, an outlet for discharging liquid potable water, and a means for lengthening dwell time positioned near or as part of the outlet of the housing; a plurality of distinct particulate treatment layers positioned within the housing and having substantially the same cross-sectional area as the housing, including: (a) a first activated carbon layer for removing chlorine or organic contaminants in the untreated liquid water; (b) a redox alloy layer for neutralizing pH in the water; (c) a second activated carbon layer for removing residual chlorine or organic contaminants in the water; and (d) an ion exchange resin layer for removing inorganic and radiological contaminants in the water; and at least one separator member positioned within the housing and adjacent to at least one of the particulate treatment layers, the at least one separator member being adapted to control the flow of water through the housing, wherein the untreated water enters the apparatus through the inlet, passes through each particulate treatment layer in sequential order, and is discharged through the outlet, thereby producing potable water suitable for human consumption.