A method of purifying water is provided that includes applying a voltage to an electrolytic cell 10 that includes an anode 14, a cathode 16 and an alkaline electrolyte composition having a pH value of about 11 or less. The alkaline electrolyte composition 13 includes at least one waste metal ion to be reduced, and a sacrificial reductant, such as urea, ammonia or a combination thereof, to be oxidized. According to the disclosed method, the voltage is applied across the cathode 16 and the anode 14 and is sufficient to reduce the at least one waste metal ion to form at least one elemental metal species at the cathode 16, and to oxidize the sacrificial reductant at the anode 14. Additionally, the applied voltage does not affect the generation of hydrogen at the cathode 16 and/or oxygen at the anode 14.