Portable personal water purifier with a microdischarge array sealed with a radiation emitter, preferably Xel, slightly above atmospheric or water pressure in a closely-configured treatment chamber. Each array is a polyimide film separating a copper layer or mesh cathode surface from a conductor pattern of nickel anodes at UV pixel via sites, juxtaposed in effective purifying range of all the water. In a canteen embodiment, the array is presented as a divider in the water chamber, or at its sides. In a continuous-flow embodiment, the array is presented as a spiral flow-through packet between input and output connections axial to a cylindrical water jacket. Battery or plug power is provided, along with any desired input filter. Two microdischarge arrays are preferably sealed in a twin-pack about a set of stiffener rods, extending outward for re-assembly in sockets after cleaning. Other separation assurance devices are spiral and chain separators.