Millions of pores are produced on the surface of the carbon during activation, increasing its overall surface area. Applications for gas phase purification, potable water purification, wastewater purification, and aquarium/pond water purification use coal-based powdered activated carbon, which mostly has meso- and macro-pores. Depending on the needs of the client, Watch Water Activated Carbon may perform water washing on various mesh sizes.

Coal based activated carbon originates from coal that has undergone a steam activation process.