What process is utilized to remove suspended particles and clarify water in treatment plants?

Coagulation is a critical process in water treatment plants used to remove suspended particles and clarify water. During coagulation, chemicals, known as coagulants, are added to the water, which allows small suspended particles to clump together into larger aggregates called flocs. This aggregation process significantly improves the efficiency of subsequent treatment steps, such as sedimentation and filtration.

Once the particles are aggregated into larger flocs, they can more easily be removed from the water as they either settle at the bottom of the treatment tank or are trapped in the filters. Coagulation is often performed before filtration to ensure that the water entering the filtration stage is as clear as possible, reducing the burden on filtration systems and improving overall treatment effectiveness.

In contrast, other processes like filtration is focused on removing particles that have already been agglomerated or are larger, while chlorination and fluoridation serve different purposes, such as disinfection and dental health, rather than directly addressing suspended solids. Thus, coagulation specifically targets the clarification of water through the aggregation of suspended particles, making it the right choice for this process.