In some embodiments, a method may include separating contaminants from impaired water. The method may include contacting impaired water with a peracetate oxidant solution. The method may include mixing said impaired water with the peracetate oxidant solution. The method may include separating the impaired water oxidant solution mixture into solids and a water phase. In some embodiments, the peracetate oxidant solution may include peracetate anions and a peracid. The peracetate oxidant solution may have a pH from about 10 to about pH 12. The peracetate oxidant solution may have a molar ratio of peracetate anions to peracid ranging from about 60:1 to about 6000:1. In some embodiments, a peracetate anion to hydrogen peroxide molar ratio is greater than about 16:1. In some embodiments, a reactive coagulant, a softener, and/or a floc aid may be added to the impaired water.