Water clarification helps remove suspended solids and particulate matter – usually with the help of flocculants and coagulants, which improve settling. Water clarification systems are either rectangular, where water flows from end to end, or circular, where flow occurs from the centre outward.
Water clarification is used in the treatment of industrial effluent, municipal wastewater and municipal drinking water as pre-treatment to further purification processes. Water clarification is also used as specialised application for grease and oil removal in industrial effluents.