Which of the following is NOT a process in a conventional surface water treatment plant?

In a conventional surface water treatment plant, the primary processes include coagulation, flocculation, and filtration, which are designed to remove suspended particles and pathogens from the water. These processes work in conjunction to improve water quality for safe distribution and consumption.

Coagulation involves adding chemicals to the water that bind with impurities, causing them to cluster together into larger particles. Flocculation follows, where gentle mixing encourages these larger clumps, known as flocs, to form and settle. Then, filtration is employed to remove the remaining flocs and other contaminants, resulting in clearer and cleaner water.

Desalination, on the other hand, is a distinct process specifically aimed at removing salts and minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce freshwater. This method is not part of conventional surface water treatment, which typically deals with freshwater sources rather than saline environments. Thus, while desalination is an important water treatment technique in areas facing freshwater shortages, it does not fit within the standard processes of a conventional surface water treatment plant.