What can be inferred about filter characteristics compared to coagulation?

Improper coagulation leading to ineffective filtration highlights the interdependence of these two processes in water treatment. Coagulation is the process where chemicals are added to water to aggregate particles, which allows them to clump together into larger particles called flocs. This is crucial, as it facilitates the subsequent step of filtration since filters are designed to remove these larger suspended particles from the water.

If coagulation is not done correctly, the flocs may not form properly, or they might not be of an appropriate size to be effectively trapped by the filter media. Consequently, this results in insufficient removal of contaminants, meaning that even if the filtration process itself is functioning optimally, it won't be able to perform effectively if the coagulation step was flawed.

This answer emphasizes that while both coagulation and filtration are critical in the water treatment process, the coagulation step is foundational because it directly affects the performance of filtration. If coagulation is ineffective, the entire treatment process can suffer, underscoring the importance of properly executing this initial step.