In a conventional treatment process, which step typically follows coagulation and flocculation?

• A. Sedimentation
• B. Jar testing
• C. Filtration
• D. Breakpoint chlorination

Answer: (A)

After coagulation and flocculation, the formed flocs are ready to be removed from the water by gravity. Sedimentation lets these larger particles settle to the bottom in clarifier basins, producing clarified water with much lower turbidity before it moves on to filtration. This step is the natural next stage because it concentrates and removes the bulk of the suspended solids so the downstream filtration can be more effective.

Jar testing is a bench procedure used to determine the right coagulant dose, not a treatment step. Filtration comes after sedimentation, removing finer particles that remain. Breakpoint chlorination is a disinfection step usually performed after filtration (and sometimes storage).