From paddling pools to large cooling towers: water is an indispensable part of life. Yet intensive use of water has undesired side effects. For example, hygienically unsafe substances can arise that can only be fought using chemicals or radiation. At least that has been the case so far. Now the company MOL Catalytic Converter Technology from the German state of Saxony-Anhalt along with local community and international partners has developed a completely new method of treating water. By means of extremely thin mineral-metal foils, undesired substances can be converted into nitrogen. That enhances the quality of the water and cuts costs in the household and in industry.