Compare carbon block, GAC, catalytic, radial flow, and dual-purpose filters. All Filters explains which activated carbon water filter system fits your needs.
See full list on epa.gov What is granular activated carbon? Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a porous adsorption media with extremely high internal surface area. GACs are manufactured from a variety of raw materials with porous structures including: 1. bituminous coal 2. lignite coal 3. peat 4. wood 5. coconut shells Physical and/or chemical manufacturing processes are applied to these raw materials to create and/or enlarge pores. This results in a porous structure with a large surface area per unit mass. Why is it useful? GAC is useful for the removal of taste- and odor-producing compounds, natural organic matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), synthetic organic compounds and disinfection byproduct precursors. Organic compounds with high molecular weights are readily adsorbable. Treatment capacities for different contaminants vary depending on the properties of the different GACs, which in turn vary widely depending on the raw materials and manufacturing processes used. What are the advantages of using GAC? GAC is a proven technology with high removal efficiencies (up to 99.9%) for many VOCs, including trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). In most cases, GAC can remove target contaminants to concentrations below 1 g/l. Another advantage is that regenerative carbon beds allow for easy recovery of the adsorption media. See full list on epa.gov What is packed tower aeration? Aeration processes, in general, transfer contaminants from water to air. Packed tower aeration (PTA) uses towers filled with a packing media designed to mechanically increase the area of water exposed to non-contaminated air. Water falls from the top of the tower through the packing media while a blower forces air upwards through the tower. In the process, volatile contaminants pass from the water into the air. Why is it useful? PTA is useful for removing volatile contaminants including: 1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 2. Disinfection byproducts 3. Hydrogen sulfide 4. Carbon dioxide 5. Other taste- and odor-producing compounds The more volatile the contaminant, the more easily PTA will remove it. PTA readily removes the most volatile contaminants, such as vinyl chloride. With sufficient tower height and air flow, PTA can even remove somewhat less volatile contaminants, such as 1,2-dichloroethane. What are the advantages of using PTA? PTA is a proven technology and can achieve high removal efficiencies (99 percent or greater) for most VOCs. PTA removal efficiency is independent of starting concentration. Therefore, it can remove most volatile contaminants to concentrations below 1 g/L. PTA generates no liquid or solid waste residuals for disposal. See full list on epa.gov What is multi-stage bubble aeration? Aeration processes, in general, transfer contaminants from water to air. Multi-stage bubble aeration (MSBA) uses shallow basins that are divided into smaller compartments, or stages, using baffles. Inside each stage, diffusers (consisting of perforated pipes or porous plates) release small air bubbles that rise through the water. The bubbles and their resulting turbulence cause volatile contaminants to pass from the water into the air. Why is it useful? MSBA is useful for removing volatile contaminants including: 1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 2. Hydrogen sulfide 3. Carbon dioxide 4. Other taste- and odor-producing compounds The more volatile the contaminant, the more easily MSBA will remove it. Vendors supply MSBA in skid-mounted, pre-packaged systems that can be particularly suitable for small systems. What are the advantages of using MSBA? MSBA is a proven technology. In recent EPA pilot tests, MSBA achieved high removal efficiencies (98 percent to greater than 99 percent) for most VOCs, removing them to concentrations below 1 g/L. MSBA is a low-profile aeration technology that does not require tall, potentially unsightly towers. MSBA generates no liquid or solid waste residuals for disposal. See full list on epa.gov What is anion exchange? In an anion exchange treatment process, water passes through a bed of synthetic resin. Negatively charged contaminants in the water are exchanged with more innocuous negatively charged ions, typically chloride, on the resins surface. Why is it useful? Anion exchange is useful for the removal of negatively charged contaminants including arsenic, chromium-6, cyanide, nitrate, perchlorate, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sulfate, and uranium. Treatment capacities for different contaminants vary depending on the properties of the resin used and characteristics of the influent water. Several of vendors manufacture different resins, including those designed to selectively remove specific contaminant ions. What are the advantages of using anion exchange? Anion exchange is a proven technology that can achieve high removal efficiencies (greater than 99 percent) for negatively charged contaminants. When the capacity of the resin is exhausted, it can be regenerated to restore it to its initial condition. The regeneration process uses a saturated solution, usually of sodium chloride (also known as brine). An alternative to regeneration is to dispose of the exhausted resin and replace it with fresh resin. This alternative is often employed when sel... See full list on epa.gov What is cation exchange? In a cation exchange treatment process, water passes through a bed of synthetic resin. Positively charged contaminants in the water are exchanged with more innocuous positively charged ions, typically sodium, on the resins surface. Why is it useful? Cation exchange is useful for water softening by removing hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium. It can also remove other positively charged contaminants including barium, radium and strontium. Treatment capacities for different contaminants vary depending on the properties of the resin used and characteristics of the influent water. A number of vendors manufacture different resins, including those designed to selectively remove specific contaminant ions. What are the advantages of using cation exchange? Cation exchange is a proven technology for water softening and removal of positively charged contaminants. It can achieve high removal efficiencies (greater than 99 percent) for positively charged contaminants. When the capacity of the resin is exhausted, it can be regenerated to restore it to its initial condition. The regeneration process uses a saturated solution, usually of sodium chloride (also known as brine). See full list on epa.gov What is biological treatment? Biological treatment of drinking water uses indigenous bacteria to remove contaminants. The process has a vessel or basin called a bioreactor that contains the bacteria in a media bed. As contaminated water flows through the bed, the bacteria, in combination with an electron donor and nutrients, react with contaminants to produce biomass and other non-toxic by-products. In this way, the biological treatment chemically reduces the contaminant in the water. Why is it useful? Biological treatment is useful for the removal of contaminants including nitrate and perchlorate. Following a startup period, the bacterial population in the water will adapt to consume the target contaminants as long as favorable conditions, such as water temperature and electron donor and nutrient concentrations, are maintained. What are the advantages of using biological treatment? Biological treatment can achieve high removals (greater than 90 percent) of nitrate and perchlorate. The process destroys contaminants, as opposed to removing them, and, therefore, does not produce contaminant-laden waste streams. Biological treatment remains effective even in the presence of certain co-occurring contaminants. See full list on epa.gov What are reverse osmosis and nanofiltration? Reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) are membrane separation processes that physically remove contaminants from water. These processes force water at high pressure through semi-permeable membranes that prevent the passage of various substances depending on their molecular weight. Treated water, also known as permeate or product water, is the portion of flow that passes through the membrane along with lower molecular weight substances. Water that does not pass through the membrane is k... Why are they useful? RO and NF are useful for the removal a wide range of contaminants. RO can remove contaminants including many inorganics, dissolved solids, radionuclides and synthetic organic chemicals. RO can also be used for removing salts from brackish water or sea water. NF is useful for removal of hardness, color and odor compounds, synthetic organic chemicals and some disinfection byproduct precursors. What are the advantages of using RO and NF? RO and NF are proven technologies that can achieve high removals of a broad range contaminants at once. They do not selectively target individual contaminants and remain effective for water that contains mixtures of contaminants. The processes do not usually require adjustment based on the specific trace contaminants present. See full list on epa.gov What is adsorptive media? Adsorptive water treatment technologies involve passing contaminated water through a media bed. The contaminants in the water adsorb to empty pore spaces on the surface of the adsorptive media as the water passes through. Granular activated carbon (GAC), described above, is one type of adsorptive media, but other types exist, including aluminum-based, iron-based, titanium-based, zirconium-based and other types of media. Why is it useful? Adsorptive media treatment is useful for removal of inorganic contaminants including antimony, arsenic, beryllium, fluoride, selenium, thallium, and uranium. The capacity of the media to adsorb different contaminants depends on the specific type of media used, the water chemistry (e.g., pH), and contaminant valence. What are the advantages of using adsorptive media? Adsorptive media is a proven technology with high removal efficiencies for certain inorganic contaminants (e.g., up to greater than 99% for arsenic, up to 99% or more for fluoride). When the appropriate media is used in combination with the appropriate water quality conditions (e.g., pH), the process can remove selected target contaminants to concentrations below relevant regulatory limits. Another advantage is that some types of adsorptive media can be regenerated in place after their capaci... See full list on epa.gov What is ultraviolet photolysis and advanced oxidation? Ultraviolet (UV) light can be used on its own (in photolysis), or in combination with chemical addition (in UV advanced oxidation), to reduce the concentration of organic contaminants. In UVAOP drinking water treatment, water passes through a reactor vessel equipped with lamps that emit UV light. In photolysis, the contaminants are degraded by the photons emitted by the UV lamps. Advanced oxidation adds chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or chlorine. These chemicals react with the UV... Why is it useful? UVAOP is useful to reduce the concentration of organic micropollutants that may be difficult to address with other technologies including 1,4-dioxane, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The process can also be useful for treatment of taste and odor issues. The effectiveness of the process depends on the UV dose, chemical dose (in advanced oxidation), contact time, concentration of the target contaminants, and other water quality parameters (e.g., UV transmittan... What are the advantages of using UVAOP? UVAOP can achieve high removal efficiencies for 1,4-dioxane (up to greater than 99%) and MTBE (greater than 90%). The process destroys contaminants, as opposed to removing them, and therefore, does not produce contaminant-laden waste streams. See full list on epa.gov ctivated carbon filtration is a core technology for modern water and beverage purification. This guide covers how it works, key benefits, real-world applications, and how it compares to other filtration methods for cleaner, better-tasting water and drinks. Best Activated Carbon Water Filters: 7 Systems Reviewed for 2026 Compare 7 activated carbon water filter systems by type, certifications, contaminant coverage, and filter life: whole house, under sink, pitcher, countertop, and faucet options. These are the 6 best activated carbon water filters in 2026, from whole house systems to simple pitcher filters there's a solution for everyone. Explore a wide range of activated carbon filters. From under-sink systems to pitcher filters, find the perfect fit for your home. Our American Made Solutions include: Activated Carbon Drum Filters Air Filtration Systems and Adsorber Systems Water Filtration Systems Water Recycle and Reclaiming Systems Soil and Groundwater Remediation Systems
ctivated carbon filtration is a core technology for modern water and beverage purification. This guide covers how it works, key benefits, real-world applications, and how it compares to other filtration methods for cleaner, better-tasting water and drinks.
Best Activated Carbon Water Filters: 7 Systems Reviewed for 2026 Compare 7 activated carbon water filter systems by type, certifications, contaminant coverage, and filter life: whole house, under sink, pitcher, countertop, and faucet options.
Explore a wide range of activated carbon filters. From under-sink systems to pitcher filters, find the perfect fit for your home.
Explore Under-Sink Filtration Advanced Multi-Stage Filters Combine carbon with other filtration technologies. Find the Best Filtration System Upgrade to cleaner, fresher water with an activated carbon filtration system today! Get pricing Request Service.
Choose the Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) for chlorine, odor, and taste removal for the whole home. If your water has hydrogen sulfide, you will want to use the Centaur Carbon Water Filtration System here.
Activated carbon filter. Carbon filtration has great capabilities in industry, breweries, waterworks, and wastewater treatment. Activated carbon filters are used in water treatment to remove
