What process is primarily aimed at clarifying water prior to filtration?

Coagulation is the process specifically designed to clarify water before it undergoes filtration. This technique involves adding chemicals, known as coagulants, to the water, which destabilize the suspended particles that contribute to turbidity. When these particles are neutralized, they begin to clump together, forming larger aggregates known as floc.

The purpose of this aggregation is to facilitate the removal of these particles in subsequent treatment stages. By clarifying the water through coagulation, operators can significantly improve the efficiency of the filtration process, as filters are better able to remove the larger flocs compared to smaller, more dispersed particles. This step is crucial because it helps in ensuring that the filters do not become overloaded and that they operate effectively in providing clean drinking water.

Dewatering, while related to removing water from sludge or slurry, does not play a role in clarifying water prior to filtration. Filtration itself is the physical process of removing particles, but it does not address the need for pre-treatment that coagulation provides. Flocculation is often used in conjunction with coagulation, where the formed flocs are gently mixed to encourage further aggregation, but coagulation specifically refers to the initial destabilization of particles. Therefore, coagulation is the distinct