Powdered activated carbon is usually added to the treatment process?

Adding powdered activated carbon (PAC) to the treatment process is commonly done before the normal coagulation-flocculation step. This timing is significant because introducing PAC at this stage enhances the coagulation process by adsorbing organic compounds, taste, odors, and other impurities in the water. When PAC is added early, it can interact effectively with the coagulants, resulting in improved floc formation and better removal of contaminants during the subsequent sedimentation and filtration processes.

This approach helps in achieving a higher quality of treated water and can reduce the load on downstream processes. While PAC can be used at different points in the treatment process, adding it before coagulation flocculation maximizes its effectiveness in enhancing water quality.