Rapid removal of bacterial endotoxin and natural organic matter in water by dielectric barrier discharge plasma: Efficiency and toxicity assessment.

•DBD plasma inactivated the bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and HPC) in water.•‘Activated’ water treated by DBD has delayed bacteria inactivation effect.•DBD plasma removed the endotoxin released by Escherichia coli, as well as artificially simulated endotoxin in a control solution.•The NOM in filtration effluent of a WTP was well removed by DBD plasma.•DBD plasma contributed to decreasing of pH value and improvement of acute toxicity in water.