What is the purpose of flocculation in water treatment?

Flocculation is a key process in water treatment, primarily aimed at removing small particles suspended in water. It involves the addition of chemicals, such as coagulants, that encourage the aggregation of these small particles into larger clusters known as flocs.

The main purpose of flocculation is to ensure that these smaller particles collide with one another, which facilitates their growth into larger aggregates that can then settle out of the water more easily. This process is crucial in improving the efficiency of sedimentation and filtration steps in water treatment. When particles are successfully flocculated, they are more likely to combine and gain sufficient mass to overcome the buoyancy forces and settle to the bottom of a treatment basin.

Other options relate to different processes or effects that are not the main focus of flocculation—such as increasing temperature, settling without contact, or adjusting pH levels. Each of these has significance in water treatment, but they do not directly pertain to the fundamental mechanism of flocculation aimed at clumping particles to enhance settling efficiency.