What process causes small particles in water to clot together forming floc?

Coagulation is the process that causes small particles within water to clump together, resulting in the formation of floc. This is an essential step in water treatment, particularly in the clarification phase, where suspended solids and colloidal particles must be removed from the water to improve its quality before further treatment stages.

During coagulation, chemical coagulants like aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride are added to the water; these substances neutralize the electric charges on the particles that keep them suspended. When the charges are neutralized, the particles begin to stick together, forming larger aggregates known as floc, which can then be more easily removed in subsequent stages, such as sedimentation or filtration.

Filtration, disinfection, and destratification are different processes used in water treatment but do not involve the clumping of particles into floc. Filtration specifically targets the physical removal of solids after floc formation, disinfection focuses on killing pathogens to ensure water safety, and destratification refers to mixing layers in bodies of water to promote uniform temperature and quality, rather than removing particles.