Abstract: A method and a device allow treating waste water discharged from a purification or sewage treatment plant for local waste water. An amount of endocrinically active hormones and hormones dangerous to aquatic environments or hormone metabolites from the group of oestranes contained in the discharged water is reduced in the flow of the waste water leaving the waste-water purification or sewage plant by guiding the same in the form of a continuous fluid body through the field or radiation cone of a radiation source emitting ionizing radiation (gamma, x-ray, and/or electron radiation).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for treating water containing halogenated ethylenes, preferably ground water, for use and consumption by humans and animals, in which the water is exposed to the action of ozone and to high energy, in particular ionizing radiation. In a preliminary treatment, ozone is added to and/or mixed with water of essentially drinking water quality except for the above-mentioned halogenated ethylene constituents and harmful substances. The circulating water is then irradiated with electrons. The ozone concentration immediately after leaving the irradiated region is at least 0.1 ppm.