What is one step in the water filtration process?

One step in the water filtration process is chemical treatment. This step is crucial as it involves the addition of specific chemicals to the water to remove contaminants and enhance its quality before it undergoes filtration. Chemical treatment may include processes like coagulation and flocculation, where chemicals are added to bind particles together, making them easier to filter out. By doing this, it effectively reduces the concentration of harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants, ensuring the treated water is safe for consumption.

In contrast, while electrical disinfection, thermal evaporation, and mechanical erosion play roles in various water treatment processes, they are not standard steps in traditional filtration. Electrical disinfection involves using electric currents to kill pathogens, thermal evaporation is a method for separating components based on boiling points, and mechanical erosion relates to the physical wearing away of materials, which does not specifically pertain to the filtration process. Thus, chemical treatment is integral for improving water quality as part of the filtration system.