#ACTIVATED CARBON INSTALL#

The filter material needs to be replaced. They are inexpensive but do not contain enough activated carbon or provide sufficient contact time between the carbon and the water for reliable contaminant removal. Pour-through devices will treat only small amounts of water at a given time and are not generally as effective as larger, automatic units. They are portable, require no installation and are convenient for camping or picnicking. These units are not connected to the water supply and usually sit on the counter. A quantity of untreated water is poured through the carbon, and the treated water is collected in a storage container. Similar in design to a drip coffee maker, pour-through units are the simplest type of an activated carbon filter. The particular activated carbon device appropriate for a given situation is determined by the type and concentration of the contaminant and the unit’s design, including how much carbon it contains. There are five basic types of activated carbon systems. See questions to ask for more details on product certification.

In addition, confirm that the treatment unit has been tested to meet manufacturer’s claims. Discuss the options with a treatment specialist. Also, some devices are better at treating certain contaminants than others. All activated carbon units differ in level of treatment, installation, storage requirements, and cost. Although activated carbon is efficient in removing a variety of organic chemicals, a specially formulated synthetic resin may be a better absorber for a specific contaminant.Īctivated carbon filters come in both point-of-entry units and point-of-use units. A synthetic resin may be a substitute for carbon. These devices also clog easily if the water is cloudy or contains particles. Use of block carbon may result in a significant drop in home water pressure. Many other small devices use carbon that has been pressed into a solid block. Granular activated carbon is an effective filter for removing organic chemicals that may be in drinking water. Granular activated carbon treatment is most common for private water systems. Generally, an activated carbon filter is used with a pre-treatment filter to remove sediment or iron particles that may be present and can clog the carbon filter. Contaminants adhere to the surface of these carbon granules or become trapped in the small pores of the filter. The solid material used in an activated carbon filter is a specialized carbon manufactured for these purposes. Other filter types are also available including charcoal and ceramic materials.Īctivated carbon filters do not adsorb every type of contaminant equally. Depending on the type and concentration of the contaminant being removed, some carbon filters may require special hazardous waste handling and disposal, which can be costly.

#ACTIVATED CARBON INSTALL#

Activated carbon filters are recommended for water without bacteria present.Ĭarbon filters are easy to install and maintain, and operating costs are usually limited to filter replacement. The efficiency of the unit depends on the type of activated carbon installed, the filter bed depth, the type and concentration of contaminants in the water, and the contact time between the water and the carbon filter. Activated carbon filters are used to remove unwanted tastes, odors, radon, and some man-made volatile organic contaminants from drinking water. They actually absorb contaminants to an activated carbon medium. These devices are commonly known as carbon filters. 2.5 Whole-house treatment or point-of-entry.