What chemicals are commonly used in water treatment processes?

The most common chemicals used in water treatment processes are chlorine, coagulants, and flocculants.

Chlorine is widely known for its effectiveness as a disinfectant, ensuring that harmful pathogens are eliminated from the water supply, making it safe for human consumption. It plays a critical role in the chlorination process, which is a key step in municipal water treatment.

Coagulants are substances that help facilitate the removal of suspended particles from water. They function by neutralizing the charges on particles in water, causing them to clump together into larger aggregates, which can then be more easily removed through sedimentation or filtration.

Flocculants complement the role of coagulants by promoting the agglomeration of these larger particle clusters, known as flocs. This process aids in the clarification of water and is especially important in treating turbid water sources.

Together, these chemicals are integral to maintaining the quality and safety of treated water, making option C the correct answer in the context of common water treatment chemicals.