Copper Silver Ion Water Purifier

If this is to be used for potable water, take care. Consuming (or in some cases just external exposure to) water containing silver has lead to a condition known as argyria. This causes the skin to turn irreversibly grey or blue. There are safer ways to sterilize drinking water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyria

Here's a good idea. This or something similar. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nationaloutdoors.net/files/pictures/gearreviews/All%2520Clear%2520UV%2520Water%2520Purifier_72%2520(Custom).jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nationaloutdoors.net/new-products-camelbak-fall-2009&usg=__T4fuGdeUDB3OqEg0Me-ren6i2eo=&h=413&w=313&sz=13&hl=en&start=3&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=ghO9InmmJ5tgDM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Duv%2Bwater%2Bpurifiers%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Copper+Silver+Ion+water+purifier&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GZEU_en&redir_esc=&ei=0XyKTL67MIyTjAeRsYnRBg

good old google

how to make copper silver ion water pruifier

ignore first line, its from some second rate engineer site

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=how+to+make+Copper+Silver+Ion+water+purifier&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GZEU_en&redir_esc=&ei=G32KTOmgMcWOjAfysoGHBg

If you are trying to design something for a potable water system, I would encourage you to get NSF 60 and NSF 61 approval. I am not aware of copper ion being used in water treatment for potable water. However, I have seen activated carbon impregnated with silver to try to keep the carbon bacteria static (the bacteria were inhibited from growing on the activated carbon). In small point of use devices these had the inherent problem of releasing excess silver during first flush. As noted by reply 1 in this thread, silver causes its own problems. Activated carbon will release excess bacteria (at least when silver is not used) on first flush. At one time there was a movement to remove these point of use devices by declaring them a hazard. Both the US EPA and Health Canada backed down when pushed by manufacturers of these devices. Copper (usually as copper sulfate) and silver may be used in swimming pool or pond algae control but I don't advocate them for potable water.

I would encourage you to explore www.nsf.org for information on potable water and on swimming pool chemicals. They have a ton of information and may better answer your questions. NSF is supported by many world environmental and health organizations.