An apparatus and method for purifying water by the addition of a halogen such as iodine in a metered amount. Incoming water is divided into two branches, a first branch where the halogen is added and a second branch leading to a mixing tank where the halogen-water solution from the first branch is joined and turbulently mixed together. The fluid then passes into a main kill tank where the halogen-water mixture is held for at least one minute to allow the halogen to kill bacteria. The water-halogen mixture is then passed into a carbon-mesh filter to remove the halogen and any suspended or dissolved impurities to provide a purified, fresh tasting water.
