Inside the Furnace: How Thermal Reactivation Is Reshaping Municipal Water Treatment

In this episode of the Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy sits down with Elisa Mayerberger of Calgon Carbon to explore the growing importance of thermal reactivation in water treatment.

The discussion centers on how utilities using granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove contaminants like PFAS and VOCs can manage spent carbon more sustainably. Listen in to hear about thermal reactivation, a high-temperature process that restores used carbon to near-virgin performance by removing trapped contaminants and reopening its pore structure. Compared to alternatives like landfilling, incineration, or regeneration, reactivation offers significant advantages—reducing waste, lowering lifecycle costs, and supporting circular economy goals.