In water treatment, what does coagulation primarily help with?

Coagulation is a critical process in water treatment primarily focused on clarifying water. This process involves the addition of coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride, which destabilize suspended particles in the water. When coagulants are introduced, they cause small particles to clump together, forming larger agglomerates known as flocs. These flocs are then easier to remove during subsequent filtration or sedimentation processes.

The primary goal of coagulation is to enhance the removal of suspended solids, organic material, and other impurities, leading to clearer water. This improvement in water clarity is essential for ensuring that further treatment processes, such as filtration and disinfection, can operate more effectively.

While coagulation can have ancillary benefits, such as some impact on pathogen removal through improved filtration or sedimentation, its main function is to facilitate the removal of particles that contribute to cloudiness in the water. Therefore, the focus on coagulation as a method for clarifying water makes it the core reason for this treatment process.