A
system and method for treating water to be used for drinking. The
system and method utilizes an apparatus for generating
ozone and other atoms and molecules resulting from the bombardment of a feed gas with electrons having, preferably, a first
electrode positioned within a channel in a second
electrode. The first
electrode is a substantially sealed tube made of
dielectric material, having at least one
electron gun positioned
proximate an end thereof for firing electrons into the first electrode. In electrical communication with the
electron gun is a rod, maintained in a tube also made of
dielectric material, which acts to maintain a constant
energy level through the length of the rod and thus the length of the electrode. Within the first electrode is an
inert gas which, upon the firing of the
electron gun, is formed into a
plasma. When a feed gas (generally air) is passed between the first and second electrodes, the electrons and
plasma cause the formation of
ozone and other atoms and molecules in the feed gas, which products have beneficial uses in the treatment of water and air for different purposes. The treated feed gas is then injected, preferably with a venturi type of
injector, into the water to be treated. Preferably, the feed gas is dried prior to its
insertion into the
ozone generation apparatus. It is also preferred that, after injection with the ozonated feed gas, the
treated water is passed through a
centrifuge, contact chamber, and carbon filter as part of the treatment process.