What is the common method used to treat water for regulated contaminants?

Flocculation is often utilized as a key method in the treatment of water for regulated contaminants. This process involves the aggregation of suspended particles into larger clumps, or "flocs," which can then be more easily removed from the water. Flocculation typically occurs after the addition of coagulants, which help destabilize the particles for aggregation.

This method is particularly effective in the removal of colloidal particles and some dissolved substances, making it suitable for treating water that may contain a variety of regulated contaminants. The formation of flocs improves subsequent processes such as sedimentation or filtration, ensuring that the water is clearer and more suitable for drinking or other uses.

While filtration, chlorination, and precipitation are also important water treatment processes, they serve different purposes or are effective for specific types of contaminants. Filtration primarily targets particulate matter, chlorination is a disinfection method, and precipitation often focuses on removing dissolved substances by converting them into solid form.