What happens to flocs that are not sufficiently formed in a treatment process?

When flocs are not sufficiently formed during the water treatment process, they lack the necessary size and cohesiveness to effectively be removed from the water. As a result, these smaller and less stable flocs can become unstable and may not settle properly during sedimentation. This instability often leads to the washing out of these inadequately formed flocs from the treatment system.

Efficient floc formation is vital for effective sedimentation, which is a critical step in the overall process of clarifying water. If flocs are too small or poorly formed, they can remain suspended in the water and may be carried along with the treated water, compromising the quality of the treatment. Thus, when flocs are poorly formed, a significant consequence is their potential to wash out, resulting in less effective removal of contaminants and impacting the clarity of the end product.