Activated carbon is used to:

Activated carbon is widely recognized for its ability to adsorb impurities and contaminants from water, which includes controlling tastes and odors. The porous structure of activated carbon allows it to trap various organic compounds and other substances that contribute to unpleasant flavors and smells in drinking water.

When water passes through activated carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorine by-products, and other taste- or odor-causing materials adhere to its surface. This makes activated carbon particularly effective in water treatment processes aimed at improving palatability and overall quality. By reducing these compounds, activated carbon helps ensure the water is not only safe but also more enjoyable to drink.

The other options involve processes that are not typically associated with activated carbon. For instance, increasing turbidity is undesirable in water treatment, as it represents the presence of suspended particles. Activated carbon does not kill bacteria directly; rather, it primarily targets chemical contaminants. Lastly, while chlorine can be introduced to water for disinfection, activated carbon does not function to keep chlorine in suspension; instead, it can actually adsorb chlorine, affecting its residual levels. Thus, the primary function of activated carbon in water treatment is indeed to control tastes and odors, making this choice the most accurate.