or during electrochemical activation addition of such corrosion inhibitors prior to or during electrochemical activation of water wherein said corrosion inhibitors are passed through the electrolysis unit during actual electrochemical activation of the water does not decompose the corrosion inhibitory activity of the agent further addition of such corrosion inhibitory agents prior to or during electrochemical activation of the water does not negatively affect the decontamination properties of the activated water the above treated water is especially useful as a decontamination and or cleaning agent for stainless steel medical instruments wherein the treated instrument remains free of corrosion but is microbially decontaminated in addition the above treated water is highly effective as a rinsing agent for use in conventional sterilization systems the eca water acts not only as a rinse but as an antimicrobial anticorrosive protective rinse by adding the corrosion inhibitors and wetting agents prior to or during electrochemical activation the sterilization system and instruments are protected from corrosion and decontamination from the rinse solution a second embodiment introduces the corrosion inhibitors and or wetting agents to the catholyte or anolyte produced after electrolysis of the water the same advantages described above remain readily realized amounts of corrosion inhibitor and wetting agents to be added to the electrochemically activated water will vary depending upon the type of agent being added and whether or not one or more agents are added the inorganic corrosion inhibitors are preferably present in amounts.