Which process is aimed at decreasing the concentration of contaminants in water through physical and chemical means?

The process aimed at decreasing the concentration of contaminants in water through physical and chemical means is enhanced coagulation. Enhanced coagulation specifically refers to the treatment of water using coagulants like aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride, accompanied by additional processing steps to further improve the removal of dissolved organic matter and particles. This approach is particularly effective in improving water quality by enabling the removal of a wider range of contaminants, including microorganisms and naturally occurring organic materials, thus enhancing the overall treatment efficiency.

Unlike standard coagulation, enhanced coagulation may include adjustments in pH and additional conditioning steps to ensure that contaminants, particularly those that are more challenging to remove, are effectively targeted. This multifaceted approach is especially relevant in meeting stringent regulatory requirements for drinking water quality and safety.

In contrast, while filtration, disinfection, and coagulation are also important water treatment processes, they do not comprise the specific combination of techniques that characterizes enhanced coagulation. Filtration focuses primarily on the physical removal of particles from water, disinfection is aimed at eliminating or inactivating pathogens to ensure microbiological safety, and standard coagulation also targets particle removal but may not be sufficient on its own to address the full spectrum of contaminants that enhanced coagulation specifically targets.