A water purification system having a porous anode electrode (21) and a porous cathode electrode (20), each of which is made of graphite, at least one metal oxide, and an ion-exchange, cross-linked, polarizable polymer, and optionally comprises microchannels. Disposed between the electrodes is a non-electron conductive, fluid permeable separator element (22), whereby wastewater is able to flow from one electrode to the other electrode. The electrodes and separator may be disposed within a housing (23) having a wastewater inlet opening (24), and exhaust waste outlet opening (26) and a purified water outlet opening (25). In this way, components of the system are easily replaced should the need arise.