Which process in water treatment involves forming larger clumps called flocs?

The process of forming larger clumps called flocs in water treatment is known as flocculation. Flocculation typically follows coagulation, where chemicals called coagulants are added to the water to destabilize suspended particles. Once the particles are destabilized, they can begin to adhere to one another, forming larger aggregates or flocs as they collide and stick together. This is crucial in the water treatment process because these larger particles are easier to remove from the water during subsequent processes like sedimentation.

While coagulation is the initial step of introducing coagulants to cause particle destabilization, flocculation is specifically the process of agglomerating these particles into larger clusters. The effectiveness of flocculation relies on gentle mixing and specific conditions that facilitate the growth of these floc particles, ultimately assisting in their removal from the water system during sedimentation or filtration processes. This distinction makes flocculation the correct answer when focusing specifically on the formation of larger clumps called flocs.