Abstract: A magnetic treatment apparatus for magnetically activating water is provided. The apparatus includes an upstream connector, a housing, a downstream connector and a magnetic unit. The magnetic unit is accommodated within a magnetic treatment passage formed in the housing. The upstream connector and the downstream connector are provided with a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage, respectively. Both of the water passages are in communication with the magnetic treatment passage of the housing. The magnetic unit includes a plurality of magnet holding pipes extending along the magnetic treatment passage. Each of the magnet holding pipes hermetically contains a plurality of disk-shaped permanent magnets, so that water to be treated will not come into contact with the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying raw water taken from a raw water reservoir. The method includes the steps of subjecting the raw water to magnetic treatment, causing the magnetically treated water to flow through a filter medium in a first direction for purification of the treated water, and discharging the purified water into the raw water reservoir. The method further includes the steps of causing the magnetically treated water to pass through the filter medium in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and discharging the oppositely passing water into the raw water reservoir. The apparatus for realizing the above method includes a water intake assembly, a filter assembly and a water discharge assembly. A magnetic treatment device is mounted on the water intake assembly for subjecting the raw water to magnetic treatment. A switching device is operated to cause the magnetically treated water to flow through the filter assembly selectively in the first and second directions.