What is Bentonite used for in water treatment?

Bentonite is a type of clay that has unique properties which make it particularly effective in water treatment processes. Its primary function in this context is to help form and bind small floc particles together. When added to water, Bentonite expands and increases its surface area, which allows it to interact with suspended particles and impurities. This binding action promotes the aggregation of small floc into larger, more easily settleable particles. The formation of larger flocs is essential for effective sedimentation during the clarification processes, ultimately resulting in cleaner water.

While Bentonite can influence other aspects of water treatment—such as impacting filtration efficiency or color—its core value lies in its ability to assist in the flocculation process, making option C the most suitable answer.