This laboratory scale study investigated effects of empty bed contact time (EBCT) and water temperature on the removal of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in biologically active carbon (BAC) columns. EBCT and water temperature significantly affected the HAA removal in BAC columns. Increasing EBCT and water temperature increased the HAA removal. At 4C, the average removal efficiency for six HAAs was 28% at an EBCT of 5 minutes. By increasing the EBCT to 10, 15, and 20 minutes, the average removal efficiencies increased to 55%, 69%, and 89%, respectively. At 10C, the average removal of six HAAs was 65%, 94%, 98%, and 99% for EBCTs of 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes, respectively. When temperature increased to 20 and 30C, a nearly complete removal of HAAs in BAC columns even with an EBCT of 5 minutes was obtained. Further increasing EBCT had little benefit on HAA removal. Kinetic models on HAA removal at various EBCTs and temperatures were also explored. Includes 11 references, tables, figures.