A compact water purification apparatus (70) for purifying water from a municipal water supply prior to a point of use has multiple water purification units (72, 74, 76, 78) that can include cartridge filters for removing such as chlorine, rust and sediment, chlorine and heavy metal, dissolved iron and hydrogen sulfide, chlorine and chloroform, lead, and sediment. Also connected in series is an ultraviolet light source (80). A bypass conduit (18) connected in parallel with the water purification units and valves (30, 32, 34) permits the water from the supply to flow directly to the point of use.