What can an operator add to quickly increase the presence of larger flocs?

To quickly increase the presence of larger flocs in a wastewater treatment process, adding polymers is the most effective choice. Polymers are chemical agents that help in coagulating and flocculating suspended solids, leading to the formation of larger aggregates or flocs. This process enhances the settling and separation of solids from the liquid phase, resulting in improved clarity of the wastewater and efficiency in treatment.

Polymers work by bridging the particles together, effectively increasing their size and creating a network that allows for easier removal during the sedimentation and filtration processes. The presence of larger flocs is crucial for optimizing the performance of secondary treatment systems, as they settle more readily, which helps achieve regulatory compliance for effluent quality.

While water, sand, and generic chemicals may have roles in various treatment processes, they do not directly support the formation of larger flocs as effectively as polymers do. Water might dilute the treatment process, sand does not assist in flocculation, and the term 'chemicals' is too vague, as not all chemicals act to promote floc formation.