A media is used to remove species from aqueous solutions, particularly in the treatment of water to enable it to be suitable for drinking. The media includes a material selected from the group consisting of zirconium hydroxide, titanium hydroxide, hafnium hydroxide and combinations thereof. A preferred form of the media is a layer having an aspect ratio of at least 1:1, more preferably, at least about 10:1. Removed from the water are species selected from the group consisting of arsenate, selenate, chromate, borate, perchlorate, fluoride and combinations thereof. In particular arsenite (As.sup.+3) containing species are also removed from water. Arsenite may be removed from water to levels not greater than 10 parts per billion with a single exposure to the media. The media is selective for certain species over others. The arsenite component is removed despite a presence of at least one competing species selected from the group consisting of sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, bicarbonate, iron, carbonate, nitrite, silicate, sulphite, chloride, bromide and iodide. The media is preferably in powder form while used to treat water. The media may be employed in a variety of devices including cartridge type water filters and a filter press.