Abstract: A biocidal water purification apparatus exposes water to radiation to eliminate viable species. A housing forms a path for water to flow from an inlet to an outlet along a flow path through a treatment zone at which the water is subjected to radiation from a source of radiation, such as beta particles from strontium-90. The exposure to radiation is enhanced using a narrow water flow path lined with the source, especially on oppositely interleaved plates with triangular cross sections, spaced by about 0.25 inch to produce an elongated zigzag path traversed by the water, for example by vertical gravity feed. Additional aspects include other forms of radiation and pre- and post-treatment water treatment or filtration stages and alternatives for continuous, batch and timed-residence water flow management.

Abstract: A biocidal water purification apparatus exposes water to radiation to eliminate viable species. A housing forms a path for water to flow from an inlet to an outlet along a flow path through a treatment zone at which the water is subjected to radiation from a source of radiation, such as beta particles from strontium-90. The exposure to radiation is enhanced using a narrow water flow path lined with the source, especially on oppositely interleaved plates with triangular cross sections, spaced by about 0.25 inch to produce an elongated zigzag path traversed by the water, for example by vertical gravity feed. Additional aspects include other forms of radiation and pre- and post-treatment water treatment or filtration stages and alternatives for continuous, batch and timed-residence water flow management.