Method and apparatus for reducing levels of organics in liquids

Apparatus for reducing levels of organic contaminants present in water or other fluid. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced activated carbhon beds and a bed of cross-linked organic polymer particles (i.e., Imbiber Beads). The bed of polymer particles is serially disposed between the activated beds of carbon to receive and absorb organic contaminants when all the adsorption sites on the first activated carbon bed reach saturation. A second activated carbon bed receives and adsorbs contaminants which escape the absorption of the polymer particles. The polymer particles swell on contact with organic contaminants to decrease and then terminate flow of water or other fluid through the apparatus.