Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning C

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

coagulation (ko-agg-yoo-LAY-shun)

The clumping together of very fine particles into larger particles (floc) caused by the use of chemicals (coagulants). The chemicals neutralize the electrical charges of the fine particles, allowing them to come closer and form larger clumps. This clumping together makes it easier to separate the solids from the water by settling, skimming, draining, or filtering.