Sedimentation is a water treatment process where suspended solids settle under gravity in tanks called sedimentation basins or clarifiers. It is used to remove coarse particles, coagulated particles, precipitated particles, and biomass. The key principles are that particles with a specific gravity greater than water will settle, and the detention time in the basin must be sufficient for settling. Sedimentation can be plain or assisted by chemicals. The performance is influenced by factors like particle size and density, water viscosity and temperature, detention time, basin depth and area, and flow rate. Rectangular and circular basins are commonly used.