Activated carbon adsorption in water treatment - an expanding application

Abstract

Population growth, water scarcity, and climate change are driving the need for enhanced control of organic micropollutants and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the urban water cycle1. Activated carbon adsorption is considered a best available technology for removing these challenging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and cyanotoxins, from both drinking water and treated wastewater. This communication focuses on the application of powdered activated carbon (PAC) and granular activated carbon (GAC) in drinking water and urban wastewater treatment (DWT, UWWT). Several key projects have supported the research and demonstration of these advanced materials and treatment technologies for DWT (LIFE Hymemb, FCT EMPOWER+, CYTED-Recircula), UWWT (LIFE Impetus, LIFE ReFitting), non-potable water reuse (FP7 TRUST) and direct potable water reuse (H2020 B-WaterSmart).