Method for electrolytic water disinfection without cathodic hydrogen evolution

The invention relates to a novel device for electrolytic disinfection of drinking water, service water and waste water using anodically generated disinfectants. The cathodic formation of hydrogen is prevented by using gas diffusion electrodes as the cathode. Atmospheric oxygen is reduced to hydroxyl ions and/or hydrogen peroxide at the gas diffusion electrodes. A permanent anode can be positioned between two gas diffusion electrodes. The latter then function alternately as a cathode or a second anode. This polarity change enables the removal of the deposits containing metal ions that form during the cathodic reaction from the gas diffusion electrodes. The substances with the disinfecting effect are produced through the use of different electrode materials for the anode and the diffusion electrode either at both anodes or at the anode and cathode.