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The Journal for Public Infrastructure

Calgon Plant First to Be Certified for Custom Reactivation

Calgon Carbon Corporation (www.calgoncarbon.com) has announced that its Blue Lake, CA, plant is the first in the U.S. to receive certification from NSF International under NSF/ANSI Standard 61:, Drinking Water System Components—Health Effects for custom reactivated carbon for potable water applications. Reactivation is a high-temperature thermal process, whereby spent granular activated carbon can be safely and cost effectively recycled back to customer facilities for re-use. During the reactivation process adsorbed organic compounds are destroyed, and the activated carbon's adsorptive capacity is restored. This results in a cost savings over the use of virgin carbon. Reactivation/recycling is also better for the environment, significantly reducing the CO₂ footprint associated with the production, supply, and use of virgin activated carbon. To obtain certification from NSF, Calgon Carbon completed a rigorous ten-month process that included submission of applications and product samples, data collection, and monitoring. NSF International is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to protecting and improving public health and the environment. Spent municipal potable carbon reactivated at the Blue Lake plant will now be certified per NSF/ANSI Standard 61. NSF/ANSI Standard 61 is the nationally recognized measure to evaluate the health effects for components and materials that contact drinking water.