Aspects of the invention include porous ceramic materials and methods of preparing and using the same. The porous ceramic material may include a three-dimensional porous structure of fused clay ceramic and metal nanopatches. In some cases, the methods include providing a mixture including clay, a pore-forming agent, and a metal ion-containing component and heating the mixture under conditions sufficient to sinter the clay and the metal ion-containing component thereby forming a porous metal ceramic material. The pore-forming agent may be removed by combustion during heating. In some embodiments, the metal ion is silver, copper, or a mixture thereof. Also provided are methods of disinfecting a water source using the subject materials. Aspects of the invention further include compositions, e.g., materials, water treatment devices and kits, etc., that find use in methods of the invention.
