Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating an aqueous solution, in which a pulsed electric field is generated in the aqueous solution between two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, at least one of the electrodes is covered with a layer of a dielectric material which, during operation of the device, completely separates this (these) electrode(s) from the aqueous solution. This measure in accordance with the invention enables field strengths to be used which are much higher than those permissible in the known devices. The use of an oxygen-containing gas and a bipolarly pulsed electric field leads to a further improvement of the method in accordance with the invention.