The occurrence of which issue can be reduced by proper sedimentation in filter beds?

The occurrence of mud balls can be significantly reduced by proper sedimentation in filter beds due to the process of sedimentation itself. When sedimentation is effectively managed, it helps separate and settle out particulate matter from the water that flows into the filter beds. This reduces the accumulation of fine materials that can bind together and form mud balls, which are aggregates of fine particles that can hinder the filter process.

Proper sedimentation allows larger particles to settle at the bottom, while smaller ones are gradually removed from the filtration system. As a result, the filter beds remain more efficient at allowing water to flow through unobstructed. Additionally, with fewer fine particles present, there's a diminished likelihood of those particles clumping together into mud balls, which can create issues like reduced water flow and increased maintenance needs.

Short-circuiting, clogging, and poor water quality relate to other aspects of water filtration and treatment processes but are not directly mitigated by sedimentation in the same way that mud ball formation is. Therefore, effective sedimentation specifically targets the mechanisms that lead to mud ball formation.