Coagulation: This is the chemical process of rapidly mixing coagulants to the water coming into the water treatment plant (source water). Many of the particles in the source water have negative charges causing them to repel each other, much like two magnets when the negative ends are put together. Coagulation changes the negative charges to neutral.
Flocculation: Coagulated water is slowly mixed causing the neutral particles to collide. When the collisions occur the particles clump together forming floc. As the floc is formed, particles in the water are trapped within the floc. The floc now looks like snowflakes suspended in the water.