The utility and cost effectiveness of biochar adsorbents in water quality applications is strongly influenced not only by biochar production conditions (e.g., feedstock, processing temperature and atmosphere), but also by background water characteristics (e.g., quantity and character of background dissolved organic matter) and the mode of implementation (e.g., batch or column). This presentation will review recent laboratory and field-scale studies of biochar in engineered water quality applications, and suggest directions for further research and development.