POLYELECTROLYTE (POLLY-EE-LECK-TRO-LITE)

A highmolecular-weight (relatively heavy) substance having points of positive or negative electrical charges that is formed by either natural or man-made processes. Natural polyelectrolytes may be of biological origin or derived from starch products and cellulose derivatives. Man-made polyelectrolytes consist of simple substances that have been made into complex substances of high molecular weight. Used with other chemical coagulants to aid in binding small suspended particles to larger chemical flocs for their removal from water. Often called a polymer.