What role do coagulants play in water treatment?

Coagulants play a critical role in water treatment by helping to neutralize the negative charges of particles suspended in water. Various particles, such as silt, clay, and microorganisms, typically carry a negative charge, which causes them to repel each other and remain suspended in the water. This makes it difficult to remove them through sedimentation alone.

When coagulants are added to the water, they introduce positively charged particles that neutralize the negative charges of the suspended particles. This neutralization allows the particles to come closer together and aggregate or clump, forming larger particles called flocs. The flocs can then be more easily removed from the water through processes like sedimentation or filtration, leading to cleaner water.

Understanding the role of coagulants is essential in optimizing water treatment processes and achieving the desired water quality standards. While other choices may reference aspects of water treatment, they do not align with the fundamental function of coagulants in addressing suspended particles within the water.