What is the role of activated carbon in water treatment?

Activated carbon plays a significant role in water treatment primarily through its ability to adsorb a variety of organic compounds, as well as to improve the taste and odor of the water. It is highly porous, providing a vast surface area that enables it to attract and hold onto various contaminants, particularly those which contribute to undesirable tastes and smells, such as pesticides, solvents, and certain industrial chemicals.

This adsorption process occurs because the organic molecules in the water are attracted to the carbon's surface, allowing cleaner, more palatable water to flow through the treatment system. This characteristic makes activated carbon a valuable component in both municipal water treatment facilities and point-of-use systems, such as home water filters.

While eliminating bacteria is also a critical aspect of water treatment, activated carbon is not designed for permanent bacterial removal; instead, other methods, such as chlorination or ultraviolet treatment, are typically employed for that purpose. Furthermore, activated carbon does not serve to increase water pressure in pipes, nor does it actively neutralize heavy metals, which often require specific filtration or precipitation methods. Therefore, its primary functions are centered around the adsorption of organic pollutants and the enhancement of water quality through improved taste and odor.