Rivers, lakes, and underground water reservoirs furnish us with the water we consume, a resource that frequently requires processing to ensure its safety for consumption. Among the top techniques for purifying drinking water and eliminating contaminants sits activated carbon. The availability of clean drinking water is progressively dwindling, leading numerous global areas to explore the ocean as a potential source. In seawater desalination, utilizing filter anthracite presents an economically viable solution for particle removal and safeguarding membranes.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees drinking water quality within public water systems and establishes thresholds for microorganisms and substances in the water. Nevertheless, instances arise when hazardous microorganisms and substances taint the public drinking water at levels that are deemed unsafe. These microorganisms and substances can infiltrate the water at its origin (such as groundwater or water from lakes or rivers) or during the transportation phase within the distribution network, which can occur even after the water treatment facility has already eliminated microorganisms and substances from the initial water source.
How Your Water is Contaminated
Microorganisms and chemicals have the potential to infiltrate drinking water either at its point of origin or within the distribution system following the completion of water treatment. The CDC has outlined how detrimental microorganisms and chemicals have multiple avenues through which they can enter the water supply:
- Fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals that have been applied to land near the water
- Concentrated feeding operations (large industrial animal farms)
- Manufacturing operations
- Sewer overflows
- Storm water
- Wildlife
- Rocks and soil that naturally have chemicals and minerals such as arsenic, radon, and uranium
- Cracks in water pipes or other problems in the distribution system
How Activated Carbons Can Help
Activated carbon filters, often called activated charcoal filters, diverge from conventional water filters in their design and function. These filters consist of miniature, permeable sponges or dark beads that have undergone treatment to enhance their capacity for entrapping impurities. The initial step involves subjecting the material to heat or steam, amplifying the carbon's surface area. This activation process fosters the creation of additional pores, facilitating the absorption and confinement of a broader spectrum of contaminants. As a consequence, carbon becomes significantly more productive as a filtering medium.
Like a sponge, the activated carbon absorbs waterborne pollutants through absorption. In simpler terms, activated carbon operates as an expansive surface-area sponge that assimilates contaminants. The dissolved impurities within the liquid gravitate towards regions with the most potent attractive forces. Owing to the compelling forces retaining these contaminants in the fluid outweighing their inherent attraction, the contaminants become drawn toward the carbon's surface. Subsequently, the filtered water progresses to subsequent stages, if required. Activated carbon filters prove instrumental in eliminating substances such as chlorine and other non-adhesive foreign chemicals from the water.
Puragen Activated Carbons offers an extensive array of activated carbon solutions, complemented by proficient technical assistance and well-informed customer support. Our guiding principle is rooted in the belief that building customer confidence and loyalty is best achieved by showcasing our products' exceptional efficacy, coupled with our personnel's dedication and expertise. Visit our website to view our solutions to drinking water issues through activated carbon products.
