Abstract: A compact water purifier is described in which three filters are contained within a single container. The first filter in the sequence is a pre-filter designed to remove large particles from the flow stream, the second an activated carbon filter for the adsorption of toxic chemicals, and the third a ceramic microscreen, preferably containing silver or other bacteriostatic agent. The three filters are assembled within a cylindrical container which is sealed to the filter assembly at each end so that a substantially uniform inward flow pattern and stable flow rate are established, and so that the relative volumes of the carbon and ceramic materials are appropriate for their functions, and so that each filter medium is assured to retain its proper position within the prescribed filtering sequence.