Abstract: Improved bacteriostatic filter media mixture comprising specially treated, dried, silver-bearing, highly purified, inert material in particulate or fibrous form, such as cellulose fibers, mixed with specific proporations of powdered, activated carbon filter material. Bacterial growth in and on the filter media is inhibited by silver ions slowly eluted or dissolved from the segregated, silver-treated cellullose fibers uniformly interspersed among the carbon filter material. The treated cellulose in the mixed filter media is in an amount sufficient to provide overall filter bacteriostatic effect to passs EPA Office of Pesticides Regulations FR 41:152 for home water filtration use, and to have improved coliform bacteria suppression after stagnant periods. Adsorptive and precoatability properties of the carbon are not inhibited, and carbon densification, leading to fall-off, does not occur.