PH altering device and method

A pH altering device comprises a fluid receptacle a microporous membrane disposed within the fluid receptacle and dividing fluid within the interior of the receptacle into first and second fluid chambers, and an electrode disposed within each fluid chamber. The microporous membrane restricts or substantially prevents the flow of the fluid from one fluid chamber to the other, but does not prevent the flow of any anions or cations necessary for a flow of an electric current between the electrodes. This makes it possible to produce two separate fluid streams of different pH from a single fluid. The device has applications to detecting impurities in fluids, producing cleaning fluids, and decontaminating fluids.