What do Carbon Filters Remove from Water?

Carbon filters remove many impurities from water

Do Carbon Filters Really Work for Water Filtration?

Carbon filters are extremely effective at removing a wide variety of contaminants from water because of its adsorption properties. Through adsorption, contaminants are attracted to the activated carbon surface and held to it. This is similar to the way a magnet attracts and holds iron filings.

In fact, carbon's excellent adsorption capabilities have made it one of most common filtration mediums used in reverse osmosis drinking water systems, fridge filters, backpacking water filters, and more.

What Can Carbon Filtration Remove from Water?

Carbon filtration provides an excellent and proven application for the reduction or removal of the following contaminants:

Acetaldehyde

Acetone

Alcohols

Amy Acetate

Amy Alcohol

Antifreeze

Benzene

Bleach

Butyl Alcohol

Butyl Acetate

Calcium Hypochlorite

Chloral

Chloramine

Chloroform

Chlorine

Chlorobenzene

Chlorophenol

Chlorophyll

Citric Acid

Cresol

Defoilants

Diesel Fuel

Dyes

Ethyl Acrylate

Ethyl Alcohols

Ethyl Acetate

Ethyl Amine

Ethyl Ether

Gasoline

Glcols

Herbicides

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hypochlorous Acid

Insecticides

Iodine

Isopropyl Acetate

Isopropyl Alcohol

Ketones

Lactic Acids

Mercaptans

Methyl Acetate

Methyl Alcohol

Methyl Bromide

Methyl Chloride

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Naphtha

Nitrobenzene

Nitrotoluene

Odors (General)

Oil-Dissolved

Organic Acids

Organic Esters

Organic Salts

Oxalic Acid

Oxygen

Ozone

PCB's

Pesticides

Phenol

Plastic Tastes

Potassium Permanganate

Propionic Acid

Propyl Acetate

Propyl Alcohol

Propyl Chloride

Radon

Rubber Hose Taste

Sodium Hypochlorite

Solvents

Sulphonated Oils

Tannins

Tar Emulsion

Tartaric Acid

Taste

THM's

Toluene

Toluidine

Trichlorethylene

Turpentine

Xanthophyll

Xylene

There are Two Basic Types of Carbon Filters

The Ominpure K2533 is a common GAC filter

GAC Filters

Granular Activated Carbon or "GAC" filters are often used as "polishing filters" in the RO process. GAC filters can remove VOCs, pesticides, nitrates, hydrogen sulfide, and much more. Learn more about GAC vs. Carbon Block Filters.

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Omnipure OMB934-5m is an example of a common carbon block water filter

Carbon Block Filters

A variety of contaminants can be effectively reduced or removed by carbon block filters, including VOCs, THMs, mercury, chlorine, and more. A carbon block filter's ability to remove contaminants depends upon the filter micron rating. Some carbon block filters rated at one micron or less (meaning they have a very small pore size) are certified to remove or reduce lead, iron, Arsenic V, cysts, and coliform bacteria.

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Can Carbon Filters Improve the Taste of Water?

Yes, carbon filtration can reduce or remove a variety of contaminants that may affect the taste, color or odor of your drinking water. For example, carbon filters can improve your water's taste by removing chlorine, industrial solvents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trihalomethanes (THM), organics, and more. That's why many Reverse Osmosis drinking water systems incorporate carbon filtration. Learn more about carbon filtration>

Carbon filtration can improve the taste, odor and appearance of water

How do Carbon Filters Work?

Carbon filters remove contaminants from water through adsorption. Learn more about how carbon filters work and why carbon filtration is used in almost every type of water filter system. From backpacking water filters, refrigerator filters, shower filters, pitcher filters, to reverse osmosis water filters, carbon filtration is utilized to remove contaminants in water.

Carbon filtration provides an excellent and proven way to reduce or remove many contaminants.

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