What is the expected effect of high turbidity on coagulation?

High turbidity in water typically indicates a high concentration of suspended particles, such as silt, clay, and organic matter. When water is highly turbid, the presence of numerous particles can interfere with the coagulation process, which is the initial step in water treatment where chemicals (coagulants) are added to encourage particles to clump together and form larger aggregates (flocs) that can be easily removed.

As turbidity increases, the effectiveness of coagulants is diminished. This happens because the particles in the water can shield the available sites on the coagulant particles, limiting their interaction with each other. As a result, the efficiency of the coagulation process decreases, making it harder to achieve optimal floc formation.

This concept is essential for water treatment operations since high turbidity can lead to challenges in achieving clear water after the coagulation and sedimentation processes. Operators must recognize this relationship and may need to adjust coagulant dosages or select different coagulants altogether to accommodate high turbidity levels.