WATER – RESIDENTIAL, LIGHT COMMERCIAL

Carbon filters are concerned most with the removal of unpleasant taste and odors found in a water line. Typically placed after a sediment removing filter, carbon filters use a bed of activated carbon to chemically absorb unwanted chemicals (eg. chlorine) that can cause degradation in water quality. Each particle/granule of carbon provides a large surface area/pore structure, providing the maximum possible exposure to the active sites within the filter media. One pound (450 g) of activated carbon contains a surface area of approximately 100 acres (40 Hectares)!

Active charcoal carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are not effective at removing minerals, salts, and dissolved inorganic compounds. For this see our specialty water filter page.

In addition to the removal of bad tastes and odors, many carbon filters are designed to be dual-stage, removing both sediment and taste/odor from the water line in one step. This can be a simple and economical solution for basic residential systems.

If you’re looking to see if your fluid is compatible with a particular filter, please view our Chemical Compatibility Chart.