A method for reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water. The water is contacted by a first adsorptive material selected from the group consisting of porous ceramic, activated alumina, magnesia, silica or mixtures thereof; adding an oxygen source to the water stream; adsorbing soluble contaminants on a second adsorptive surface selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB metals, Group IB metals or mixtures thereof; catalytically reacting soluble contaminants adsorbed on the second adsorptive material with the oxygen source to decompose the chemical contaminants; reacting the products of the decomposition of the chemical contaminants to yield insoluble precipitates which adhere to the second adsorptive surface; and adsorbing and reacting additional contaminants on the second adsorptive material and the insoluble material adhering thereto. The second adsorptive material is, preferably, platinum, palladium, irridium, rhodium or mixtures thereof. The reaction products are preferably reacted with an alkali metal chloride to yield the insoluble precipitate.

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