Acrylic acid was crosslinked with N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide and converted to bioactive hydrogels by neutralization with different amino containing compounds. Several amino containing compounds were used such as 2-aminopyridine, triethanol amine, hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), pyridine, and imidazole. The best crosslinker ratio was determined in addition to the maximum absorbed water in different mediums. The antibacterial activity of the prepared gels were examined against examples of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) using agar plate method. The study was extended by evaluating one of prepared gels in columns as models for water filters. All prepared gels showed antibacterial action in agar plate method against both bacterium and the column method using one of the prepared gels showed excellent filtration and biocidal action. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 1162-1167, 2011