A water treatment system comprises at least one electrolytic cell comprising at least one electrode and a power source for powering the electrode. The electrode may be a metal electrode comprising a coating of polymer comprising structural units of formula I (I) wherein R1 is independently at each occurrence a C1-C6 alkyl radical or —SO3M wherein M is independently at each occurrence a hydrogen or an alkali metal a hydrogen or an alkali metal, R2 is independently at each occurrence a C1-C6 alkyl radical, a is independently at each occurrence an integer ranging from 0 to 4, and b is independently at each occurrence an integer ranging from 0 to 3. An associated method is also described.