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Confused about activated carbon filters? Learn how they work, why certified filters matter and how to choose the right water purifier to protect your family from contaminated water
Water filters in purifiers change gradually, influenced by water source, usage and maintenance.
Replacing a water filter isn’t just a routine task, it directly impacts the safety of the water your family drinks every day. In India, the growing presence of lookalike and unbranded filters means many households are unknowingly using products that offer little real protection. Studies have shown that some such filters lose effectiveness almost immediately. This is why understanding activated carbon matters.
While awareness is increasing with national demand for activated carbon filters projected to grow from around USD 254 million in 2024 to approximately USD 376 million by 2033, the journey toward safe drinking water remains long, especially with rising cases of illness and deaths linked to contaminated water.
Globally, the activated carbon industry is projected to reach USD 16–19 billion or more over the coming decade, driven by rising environmental concerns, stricter regulatory standards, and growth in municipal and industrial water treatment sectors.
Dr Anil Kumar, Chief Water Scientist, Eureka Forbes, shares what consumers need to know:
1. Activated carbon is not a basic material, it is engineered for safety
Activated carbon filters are highly effective purification media used across air and water treatment systems. Their extremely porous structure and large surface area allow contaminants to adhere to the carbon surface through a process called adsorption.
In water filtration, these filters remove chlorine, unpleasant tastes, odours, and many organic contaminants, improving both drinkability and safety.
However, the effectiveness of activated carbon depends entirely on the quality of the carbon used. High-grade activated carbon is carefully processed to ensure adequate surface area, structural stability, and strong adsorption capacity.
In contrast, low-quality or counterfeit filters often use inferior carbon. While they may temporarily improve taste, they lack the ability to consistently remove harmful chemicals such as pesticides, chlorine by-products, or organic toxins. For consumers, this means the water may seem “better” without actually being safer.
2. Choosing branded and certified filters is essential
One of the most concerning findings from the IIT Madras case study was how quickly ordinary or unbranded filters began to fail. In some cases, a sharp decline in contaminant removal was observed within the first 10 litres of use.
Genuine and certified filters, on the other hand, maintained stable purification performance throughout their tested lifespan, often up to 12,000 litres.
The danger lies in the silent nature of this failure. There is no warning sign, no change in taste or colour, even as harmful substances begin passing through the filter.
3. Activated carbon must work with the right purification technology
Activated carbon plays a vital role, but it is only one component of a comprehensive purification system. It works most effectively when paired with technologies such as RO (Reverse Osmosis), UV (Ultraviolet), or UF (Ultrafiltration), depending on the water source and contamination levels.
Fake or substandard filters can disrupt this balance. If they fail to perform properly, they compromise the entire system, allowing dissolved chemicals or toxins to remain in the water.
4. Filter lifespan matters more than price
Cheaper filters may appear cost-effective initially, but their shorter lifespan and rapid performance decline make them risky in the long run. Once activated carbon becomes saturated, it stops adsorbing impurities and may even create conditions conducive to bacterial growth.
Genuine filters clearly specify replacement timelines based on scientific testing, ensuring consistent water safety.
5. Regular replacement is a health safeguard not a formality
Many households delay filter replacement, unaware that an exhausted filter provides little to no protection. Substandard filters reach this stage much earlier, increasing the risk of exposure to contaminants.
Timely replacement of genuine filters is essential to maintain water safety not just appliance performance.
Activated carbon filters are a powerful tool in protecting drinking water but only when they are genuine, certified, and used as intended. At a time when water contamination is often invisible, choosing the right filter is a health decision, not merely a convenience purchase.
For households, true safety lies in science-backed filtration not assumptions based on appearance or price.
February 15, 2026, 17:19 IST
