Which factor affects the coagulation process along with chemical dosage and water temperature?

The coagulation process in water treatment is significantly influenced by pH. Coagulation is the chemical process that helps remove suspended solids and other impurities from water by adding coagulants, which aggregate the particles into larger flocs that can then be removed. The effectiveness of this process is highly dependent on the pH of the water because it affects the charge of the particles and the coagulants.

At different pH levels, the solubility and charge characteristics of the coagulants can change, thereby impacting their ability to neutralize the charges on suspended particles. For instance, certain coagulants, like aluminum sulfate (alum), work most effectively at a specific pH range. If the pH is too high or too low, the coagulation process can be less efficient, leading to lower removal rates of turbidity and other contaminants.

While the other options—filtration, disinfection, and chlorination—are crucial components of water treatment, they primarily address different stages or aspects of the water treatment process. Filtration follows coagulation and is a means of removing the floc that has formed. Disinfection and chlorination pertain to the removal of pathogenic microorganisms after coagulation and filtration have taken place. Thus, their role