I suggest you use a sand filter to remove clay and silt from the water. Nevertheless, there is a high probability that the filter will block very quickly and become an odor problem if WW have too much organic matters. In fact, sedimentation seems the cheapest and best way. Appropriate retention times will be enough for removal of clay and silt with settlable solids in sedimentation tank. Also, you should use additional treatment (e.g. biological ) for remove organic matters I think. However if you can send characteristics of WW, more usefull approaches can be exhibited here. Good Luck.

Dear Michele,

Coagulation and flocculation steps remove suspended particles such as clay, silt, bacteria and organic matter from the contaminated water. This is an excellent process for removing suspended particles.

With my best regards

Prof. Bachir ACHOUR

I agree with Dr. Bachir that coagulation & flocculation are the best methods to deal with sediment (clay & silt) problems in water. 

Dear colleagues,

Coagulation and flocculation are undoubtedly very effective methods for moving suspended solids. However, operating costs will increase when you use these methods. In addition, additional treatments will be required to dispose of the chemical treatment sludge from the system. These disadvantages need to be considered. I think that physical and biological methods should be preferred.To remind you again, we first need to know the character of the water. Best regards.

Dear Dr. Olcayto, you are absolutely right in your observation, but the question is "alternate to sedimentation" and the waste water is the water released from washing vegetables.

Dear Dr. Prasad,

Thank you for your collaboration.

Regards.

Dear Michele

I agree with Dr. Bachir that coagulation & flocculation are the best methods to deal with sediment (clay & silt) problems in water.

Dear Michele,

We did some work on the sand filters and got very good results. The influent waters contained silt, sand and clay. We got very good results. And we did not use any chemicals. It's worth trying.

Good luck.