Which process is used to remove suspended solids from water?

The correct choice for the process used to remove suspended solids from water is filtration. Filtration involves passing water through a porous medium that captures and retains solid particles, thus effectively reducing turbidity and improving water clarity. This method is commonly used in water treatment plants to ensure the removal of sand, silt, and other particulate matter from the water.

Coagulation, while it plays a role in the treatment process, is not the primary mechanism for directly removing suspended solids. Instead, it involves the addition of chemicals that cause small particles to clump together into larger aggregates, which may subsequently settle or be more easily removed by filtration. This is typically a pre-treatment step aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of filtration.

Reverse osmosis is a filtration method that primarily removes dissolved substances and particles through a semi-permeable membrane but is not specifically designed for the removal of suspended solids. It is more effective for desalination and treating chemically contaminated water.

Adsorption is a process where substances adhere to a solid surface, and while it can assist in removing some pollutants in a water treatment context, it does not specifically target the removal of suspended solids in the same manner that filtration does. This technique is generally used to remove dissolved organic contaminants or certain ions from water.