What role does sedimentation play in water treatment?

Sedimentation is a crucial process in water treatment that focuses on removing suspended particles from water. During this process, water is allowed to sit undisturbed in a treatment basin, which enables heavier particles, such as silt, clay, and other debris, to settle to the bottom due to gravity. This settling process helps improve the clarity and quality of the water by reducing the concentration of these unwanted particles before further treatment steps, such as filtration and disinfection, are applied. By effectively removing solids through sedimentation, the overall efficiency of the water treatment process is enhanced, leading to cleaner and safer potable water.