An under the counter water treatment system. Water from an outside supply source, such as a municipal water line, is provided to user's home. A prefilter (41) to remove sediment, organic compounds, and certain pollutants is first provided. After the prefilter, the water enters a reverse osmosis system (42) which includes an osmotic membrane. The reverse osmosis membrane filters out impurities and very small particles to provide highly purified water. The outflow of the reverse osmosis filter is stored in a water tank (44). Water is removed from the tank by releasing an appropriate valve when the user wishes to drink the water. When the water exits the tank, it passes through an electrolytic cell (36) having a plurality of plates. Current passes between the plates, and thus through the water flowing between the plates. This has several effects on the water including creating oxygen in the water, inserting free electrons into the water, as well as improving the taste, and affinity of the water for accepting other minerals. After passing out of the electrolytic cell, the water may pass through a final treatment stage (45) after which it is provided at an outlet tap for consumption by an end user. The flow of electricity to the plates is controlled in three modes of operation. During the first mode of operation, power is provided to the plates for a selected period of time after which the switch is first depressed. After the selected period of time has passed, control of power to the plates is linked to the actuation switch itself during a second mode of operation. If the switch remains on for an extended period of time, the electronic controls enter a third mode of operation during which power is automatically terminated to the electrolytic cell.