Activated carbon (AC) filtration is most effective in removing organic contaminants from water. All organic substances are made up of two elements i.e carbon and hydrogen .

The organic contaminants are responsible for colour , odour and taste of water. Activated carbon filters are used to improve the quality of water which is aesthetically displeasing or unpalatable.

Activated Carbon also removes chlorine from the water. In cases where chlorine content is high Activated Carbon filters provide the legitimate solution for eliminating chlorine.

Activated Carbon is different from normal charcoal.

Activated carbon is formed when charcoal is activated by passing oxidizing gases through the material at extremely high temperatures. The activation process produces the pores that result in such high adsorptive properties. With modern manufacturing techniques , highly porous activated charcoals are being produced that have surface areas of 400 -2,000 square metres per gram. These so-called active, or activated, charcoals are widely used to adsorb odorous or coloured substances from gases or liquids.