Selective adsorption of organic material from water by modified clays

A process for the purification of water containing synthetic organic matter and natural organic matter in a concentration of at least about 25 wt. % of the synthetic organic matter which process comprises

• (A) contacting the water with a clay modified with a cationic surfactant to replace at least about 25% of the cations as measured by the cation exchange capacity of the clay;
• (B) subsequently regenerating the clay by treatment with organic solvent to remove any pollutants;
• and
• (C) reusing the resulting regenerated clay for the purification of water.