A method for removing dissolved contaminants, such as arsenate, from water by the step of contacting a sorbant with the water, the sorbant comprising more than ten weight percent of an oxide of titanium and more than one tenth weight percent of a sulfate salt, such as calcium sulfate, having a solubility in water at room temperature of less than 0.5 grams per liter of water, wherein the oxide of titanium is primarily titanium dioxide.