What is the role of coagulants in water treatment?

Coagulants play a crucial role in water treatment processes by aiding in the removal of suspended particles and impurities from the water. Their primary function is to promote the aggregation of smaller particles into larger clusters known as flocs. This is achieved through a chemical reaction that neutralizes the charges of the particles, allowing them to bond together and form these larger structures. The formation of larger flocs is essential because it makes it significantly easier to remove these aggregates during subsequent treatment steps, such as sedimentation or filtration.

By enhancing the coagulation process and facilitating floc formation, coagulants directly contribute to improving the clarity and quality of the water. This is particularly important in drinking water treatment, where maintaining low levels of turbidity is essential for meeting health and safety standards. The other options do not correctly reflect the primary function of coagulants: disinfecting water is typically accomplished through other means, stabilizing pH is done using different chemicals, and adding taste is not a function of coagulants but may involve other additives in the treatment process.