Water treatment incorporates, modifies, or supplements which aspects of natural processes?

Water treatment processes are designed to improve the quality of water to make it safe for consumption and other uses. The correct answer highlights essential steps in the water treatment process that align closely with natural processes aimed at removing impurities and harmful contaminants.

Coagulation involves the addition of chemicals to water that allow small particles to clump together into larger aggregates, or flocs, which can then be more easily removed from the water. This process mimics natural sedimentation, where particles settle out of the water column over time due to gravity.

Sedimentation is the next phase, where the floc formed during coagulation settles to the bottom of the treatment tank, effectively removing a significant amount of suspended solids. In natural water bodies, this process occurs as sediments settle out of the flowing water.

Filtration follows sedimentation and is a crucial step for further purification. During filtration, the remaining particles and impurities in the water pass through various filter media, which trap contaminants. This mimics natural filtration processes found in groundwater aquifers or when water flows through soil.

Taken together, these processes—coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration—mirror the natural purification mechanisms of water systems while enhancing their efficiency through controlled treatment practices.