FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICA TION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention
A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
2. Applicant(s)
Name Nationality Address
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD. INDIA TCS HOUSE, RAVEL1NE STREET, 21 D S MARC, FORT
MUMBAI, MUMBAI-400001
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICA TION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is
to be performed.

The disclosure relates to a water treatment system. The disclosure also relates to a process for the treatment of water. The disclosure further relates to a device for collection, separation, thickening and dewatering of floc or slurry generated during the treatment of water.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of water requires a series of steps, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, thickening and dewatering, before the water can be discharged for further use.
A coagulant or a flocculating agent is generally added to the water along with other chemicals that maintain the pH of the water at near neutral. After the steps of coagulation and flocculation, the water is passed through a sedimentation tank that allows for the sedimentation of the sludge/flocs. The sludge is then thickened and dewatered before it is disposed off or treated further. Each of these steps of sedimentation, thickening and dewatering are generally carried out in separate equipments.
For example, large tanks, with or without solid baffles are used for sedimentation of the sludge/flocs. In addition voluminous power-driven equipments are required for thickening and dewatering the floc. The entire water treatment process is therefore time consuming and requires a lot of space and energy.
Systems that combine solid separation, thickening and dewatering in one vessel are known. One such system is that of granular filter media composed of particulates and solids is used for dewatering the floc. Such granular filter media may, for example, include a sand layer, a coarse stone layer and a fine stone layer in series. Such systems with filter media comprising sand and stone layers require large space, are bulky and therefore are not transportable. Also such filtration media need to be periodically backwashed which is not possible when the water contains toxic substances such as arsenic and fluoride as this releases these toxic substances back into the water.

In another system, two screen rolls having reticulate material covering the outer surface and an assembly comprising of an endless moving flocked filter belt is used for thickening and extracting liquid from sludge. In yet another system, the process comprises of stirring the slurry sludge with a coagulant in a tank to convert the slurry sludge into floc and then supplying the floc and supernatant liquid to the inlet of an inclined endless travelling filter cloth type dewatering unit.
Though such devices eliminate the need for large tanks in series and long settling times present in conventional water treatment systems, they are complicated and potentially expensive as they involve the use of accessories like screen rolls, pulleys, filter belts and travelling cloths. Moreover, such systems require electricity to run such accessories and also require manual intervention to remove the sludge/floc and wash the traveling cloth belts.
Conventional sedimentation, thickening and dewatering equipments are bulky, inefficient, require long cycle times and need large space. These systems can therefore not be scaled down to be accommodated within a household unit for removal and disposal of floc or slurry generated during the treatment of water particularly when toxic contaminants such as arsenic and fluoride are present in the water.
Processes involving sand filters and granulated filter media require less time as compared to conventional processes but still require large space, are bulky and need backwashing. Moreover, they cannot be used when the floc (or slurry) contains toxic substances (e.g. arsenic and fluoride) as backwashing will release water containing concentrated waste instead of segregating the contaminants in a confined space for disposal.
Processes involving belt filters require less time as compared to conventional processes but also require additional accessories like screen rolls and pulleys and yet leave a majority of the moisture within the floc (80-90%). These also require external power and manual intervention and are also not cost effective.

Also, a majority of such systems are stationary and permanent installations which are neither portable nor disposable along with the sludge, which is a key requirement of smaller scale, household and portable systems.
Therefore there is a need for a compact floc collection, separation, thickening and dewatering device that can be easily and safely transported and disposed at the end of its usable life.
Moreover, the system should be such that it may be used in point-of-use water treatment systems in areas where municipal water supply is either not available or is inadequate, and where the steps of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, thickening and dewatering are needed to be carried out at the consumer's premises. This requires a compact floc/sludge collection and disposal system requiring little or no intervention during its operational life,
SUMMARY
The disclosure relates to a water treatment system. The system includes a housing comprising top, bottom and side surfaces and defining an inlet to receive water containing floc or slurry, a baffle structure within the housing configured to form a plurality of floc collection chambers in fluid communication with each other such that the plurality of floc collection chambers define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing, the baffle structure including at least one permeable surface and defining an internal chamber, a liquid outlet within the internal chamber of the baffle structure such that the floc present in the water are substantially retained in the plurality of floc collection chambers and water passes through the permeable surface into the internal chamber.
The disclosure also relates to a process for treatment of water in a water treatment system, the water treatment system comprising a housing comprising top, bottom and side surfaces and defining an inlet to receive water containing floc or slurry, a baffle structure

within the housing configured to form a plurality of floc collection chambers in fluid communication with each other such that the plurality of floc collection chambers define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing, the baffle structure including at least one permeable surface and defining an internal chamber, and a liquid outlet within the internal chamber of the baffle structure. The process includes passing the water through the housing inlet into one or more floc collection chamber, such that the water may travel along the substantially horizontal flow path defined by the plurality of floc collection chambers, retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber, and allowing the water to pass through the permeable surface of the baffle structure into the internal chamber of the baffle structure and exit out of the liquid outlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawing illustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the following detailed description serves to explain the principles of the invention.
Figure 1: Illustrates a water treatment system in accordance with an embodiment.
Figure 2: Illustrates a water treatment system in accordance with an embodiment.
Figure 3: Illustrates a water treatment system in accordance with an embodiment.
Figure 4: Illustrates a water treatment system in accordance with an embodiment.
Figure 5: Illustrates a water treatment system in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the

invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof,
Figure 1 illustrates a water treatment system (10) comprising a housing (12). A baffle structure (14) is positioned within the housing (12) and forms a plurality of floc collection chambers (16). The floc collection chambers (16) are in fluid communication with each other and define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing (12).
As illustrated in figure 1, the housing (12) comprises of a top (18), bottom (20) and side surfaces (22). The top surface of the housing (18) defines an inlet (24) for receiving water for treatment. The water for treatment includes floc and is typically treated with a coagulant to form flocs. Alternatively, the inlet (24) may be present on the side surface (22) of the housing (12). In the embodiments where the inlet (24) is present on the side surface (22) of the housing (12), it is positioned proximate the top surface (18). In accordance with an embodiment, the housing (12) of the water treatment system (10) may be a closed system or the top (18), bottom (20) or side surfaces (22) may be removably attached to allow access to the floc collection chambers (16). The housing (12) may also be of any convenient shape including, rectangular, elliptical or polygonal. In accordance with an aspect, the housing (12) of the water treatment system (10) is substantially rectangular in shape as illustrated in Figure 1.
The housing (12) of the water treatment system (10) may be made of any suitable material including but not limited to metal, plastic, concrete, ceramic, wood, stone or their combinations. The plastic may include but not be limited to polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terepthalate

(PET), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nylons, polyesters, acrylics, polyolefins, polyurethanes, polyamides, polycarboxyamides, phenolics, polylactic acids, rubbers and combinations thereof.
Still referring to figure 1, the baffle structure (14) may be attached to the side surface (22) or bottom surface (20), or both, of the housing (12) in a manner that permits flow of water between the floc collection chambers (16) formed by the baffle structure (14). The flow path defined by the baffle structure (14) is substantially horizontal across the housing (12).
In accordance with an aspect the water treatment system (10) may comprise of a single baffle structure (14) such that two floc collection chambers (16) are formed within the housing (12). A plurality of baffle structures (14) may also be present in the water treatment system (10) such that a plurality of floc collection chambers (16) is formed within the housing (12). The baffle structure (14) comprises of one or more surfaces that define an internal chamber (26) within the baffle structure (14). The baffle structure (14) may include a frame on which one or more surfaces are attached. The baffle structure (14) may be any suitable shape that defines an internal chamber (26) and forms suitable floc collection chambers (16) in fluid communication with each other. The baffle structure (14) is partly or completely permeable and defines at least one permeable surface. The permeable surface of the baffle structure (14) allows the floc present in the water to be substantially retained in the floc collection chamber (16) and water to pass through the permeable surface in to the internal chamber (26).
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, five baffle structures (14) are present within the housing (12) to form six floc collection chambers (16). The baffle structure (14) is substantially rectangular and is attached to the bottom surface of the housing (20). The baffle structure (14) illustrated in Figure 1 comprises of a top surface (28), and a pair of side

surfaces (30) that collectively define the internal chamber (26). The side surfaces (30) are attached to the bottom surface (20) of the housing (12) to form a plurality of floc collection chambers (16) within the housing (12). All surfaces of the baffle structure (14), side surfaces (30) and the top surface (28), are permeable.
The internal chamber of the baffle structure (26) is configured to receive the water that passes through the permeable surface of the baffle structure (14). A filtration medium may be placed within the internal chamber of the baffle structure (26). In accordance with an aspect the filtration medium in the internal chamber of the baffle structure (26) includes but is not limited to sand, fired clay, ceramics, glass wool, rice husk ash, or activated charcoal or their combinations.
A liquid outlet (32) is formed within the internal chamber (26) of the baffle structure (14). The liquid outlet (32) is configured for passing water out of the internal chamber (26) of the baffle structure (14). The liquid outlet (32) of the internal chamber may be formed at the point of attachment of the baffle structure (14) to the bottom surface (20) of the housing (12) such that the water exits out of the housing (12) as illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 1. The liquid outlet (32) may be in the form of a pipe exiting out of the bottom surface of the housing (20).
Referring next to the embodiment of Figure 2, the water treatment system (10) further comprises of a liquid sump (34) formed within the housing (12). The liquid sump (34) may be positioned at any point within the housing (12) and is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet (32) of the internal chamber (26) such that water received in the internal chamber (26) may flow in to the liquid sump (34). A single liquid sump (34) may be used to receive water from the internal chambers (26) of the plurality of baffle structures (14). The liquid sump (34) may partly or completely extend across the length or width of the housing

(12). The liquid sump (34) may further comprise of a sump outlet (36) configured for allowing water collected in the liquid sump (34) to exit out of the liquid sump (34).
In the embodiment illustrated by Figure 2, the liquid sump (34) is formed within the housing (12) by a baffle plate (38) that is positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the bottom surface (20) within the housing (12). The baffle plate (38) extends across the length of the housing (12) and forms a second bottom surface (20). The baffle plate (38) may be integrally formed with the housing (12) or may be attached to the side (22) or bottom surface (20) of the housing (12) by any suitable attachment means including nuts, bolts, clamps, slots, press fit, threading, glue, sealant, cementing and welding. The baffle plate (38) may also be supported by a plurality of supports (40) attached to the bottom surface of the housing (20) as illustrated in Figure 3. The baffle plate (38) may be a solid plate made of any suitable material including but not limited to metal, plastic, wood, stone, ceramic or their combination.
In accordance with an embodiment, the baffle plate (38) may be permeable as illustrated in figure 3. The permeable baffle plate (38) retains floc within the floc collection chamber (16) and allows water to directly enter into the liquid sump (34) from the floc collection chamber (16).
Referring next to Figure 4, the water treatment system (10) in accordance with an alternate embodiment is illustrated. The water treatment system (10) further comprises of a permeable structure (42) attached to at least one side surface (22) of the housing (12). The permeable structure (42) is attached to the side surface (22) such that a recess (44) is formed between the permeable structure (42) and the side surface (22) of the housing (12). The recess (44) further comprises of a liquid outlet (46) positioned in the recess (44) formed between the permeable structure (42) and the side surface of the housing (22). The liquid outlet (46) of the recess (44) may be positioned at the bottom surface (20) of the housing (12), the side surface

(22) of the housing (12) or on the baffle plate (38) such that water collected in the recess (44) may flow out of the housing (12) or into the liquid sump (34) of the water treatment system (10).
As illustrated in Figure 5, the water treatment system (10) may comprise of both the permeable structure (42) attached to the side surface of the housing (12) and the permeable baffle plate (38). In such an embodiment the water passes through the baffle structure (14), permeable structure (42) and the permeable baffle plate (38) into the liquid sump (34).
In accordance with an embodiment, the housing (12) of the water treatment system (10) further comprises of an additional outlet (48) configured to transmit liquid out of the housing (12) as illustrated in Figure 5. The outlet (48) is positioned proximate to the top surface (18) of the housing (12) of the water treatment system (10).
In accordance with an embodiment, the baffle plate (38), the baffle structure (14) and the permeable structure (42) are interconnected such that a detachable internal permeable chamber is formed within the housing (12). The internal permeable chamber includes the plurality of floc collection chambers (16) and is configured for retaining floc.
In accordance with an aspect the permeable surface of the baffle structures (14), the permeable structure (42) and the permeable baffle plate (38) may be made of any permeable material including but not limited to fabric, mesh or foam including but not limited to cotton, canvas, felt, nylon, polypropylene, polyamide polyester, polyvinyl alcohol and combinations thereof. The material used for making the permeable surface may be produced using a suitable process including but not limited to weaving, spinning, spun bound, melt blown and needle punched processes and formed in a woven or non-woven manner. The permeable surface may also be made out of a porous material including but not limited to sand, fired clay, ceramics, glass wool, rice husk ash and activated charcoal.

A process for treatment of water in a water treatment system (10) is also disclosed. The process comprises of passing water containing a floc/slurry through the housing inlet (24) into one or more floc collection chamber (16), such that the water may travel along a substantially horizontal flow path defined by the plurality of floc collection chambers (16), retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber (16), and allowing the water to pass through the permeable surface of the baffle structure (14) into the internal chamber (26) of the baffle structure (14) and exit out of the liquid outlet (32).
Water passes through the permeable surface of the baffle structure (14) and the flocs are retained in the floc collection chamber (16). The water may exit out the housing (12) directly from the liquid outlet (32) of the baffle structure (14). Alternatively, the water may exit out of the liquid outlet (32) into the liquid sump (34) or the additional liquid outlet (48) positioned proximate to the top surface (18) of the housing (12).
The plurality of floc collection chambers (16) permits collection of water including flocs within the water treatment system (10) while the floc is separated and dewatered. With use, the floc accumulates and thickens within a floc collection chamber (16) and water received by the water treatment system (10) flows towards adjacent floc collection chambers (16) along the substantially horizontal flow path within the housing (12). Once all the floc collection chambers (16) are full or after a predetermined amount of water has passed through it the top surface of the housing (18) may be opened and the floc retained may be collected and disposed. The retained floc may be disposed along with the detachable internal permeable chamber. Alternatively, the entire water treatment system (10) may be disposed once all the floc collection chambers (16) are full or after a predetermined amount of water has passed through it.
The process further comprises of dewatering the floc retained in the floc collection chamber (16). The floc is dewatered by allowing the floc to be retained in the floc collection

chamber (16) till substantially small percentage of the water is retained in the floc. The housing (12) may be agitated or shaken to facilitate the process.
In accordance with an aspect, the process further comprises of removing heavy metals or arsenic or fluoride from the water. The heavy metal or arsenic or fluoride in the water is removed by retaining floc or slurry generated during the treatment of water containing these contaminants.
Specific Embodiments are described below:
A water treatment system comprising a housing comprising top, bottom and side surfaces and defining an inlet to receive water containing floc or slurry, a baffle structure within the housing configured to form a plurality of floc collection chambers in fluid communication with each other such that the plurality of floc collection chambers define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing, the baffle structure including at least one permeable surface and defining an internal chamber, a liquid outlet within the internal chamber of the baffle structure such that the floc present in the water are substantially retained in the plurality of floc collection chambers and water passes through the permeable surface into the internal chamber.
Such water treatment system(s) comprising a liquid sump within the housing in fluid connection with the liquid outlet of the internal chamber formed within the baffle structure.
Such water treatment system(s) comprising a baffle plate positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the bottom surface within the housing and defining a liquid sump in between.
Such water treatment system(s) wherein the baffle plate is permeable.
Such water treatment system(s) wherein the baffle plate extends across the bottom surface of the housing.
Such water treatment system(s) comprising a plurality of baffle structures.

Such water treatment system(s), wherein the liquid outlets within the internal chambers of the plurality of baffle structures are in fluid communication with a single liquid sump within the housing.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein a filtration medium is placed within the internal chamber of the baffle structure.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein the filtration medium is made of porous material including any of sand, fired clay, ceramics, glass wool, rice husk ash, or activated charcoal.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein a permeable structure is attached to a side surface of the housing, the permeable structure and side surface co-operating to define a recess therebetween with a liquid outlet positioned within the recess.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein the liquid outlet within the recess is in fluid communication with a liquid sump positioned within the housing.
Such water treatment system(s) wherein the baffle plate, the baffle structure and the permeable structure are interconnected such that a detachable internal permeable chamber is formed within the housing, the internal permeable chamber configured for retaining floc.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein the housing further defines an additional outlet configured to transmit water out of the housing.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein an additional outlet is positioned proximate the top surface.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein the permeable surface is made of any one of sand, fired clay, ceramics, glass wool, rice husk ash, activated charcoal fabric, mesh or foam including cotton, canvas, felt, nylon, polypropylene, polyamide polyester, polyvinylalcohol or a combinations thereof.

Such water treatment system(s), wherein the housing is made of any one of metal, plastic, concrete, ceramic, wood, stone or their combination.
Such water treatment system(s), wherein the baffle plate is made of any one of metal, plastic, concrete, ceramic, wood, stone or their combination.
Further Specific Embodiments are described below:
A process for treatment of water in a water treatment system, the water treatment system comprising a housing comprising top, bottom and side surfaces and defining an inlet to receive water containing floc or slurry, a baffle structure within the housing configured to form a plurality of floc collection chambers in fluid communication with each other such that the plurality of floc collection chambers define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing, the baffle structure including at least one permeable surface and defining an internal chamber; and a liquid outlet within the internal chamber of the baffle structure, the process comprising, passing the water through the housing inlet into one or more floc collection chamber, such that the water may travel along the substantially horizontal flow path defined by the plurality of floe collection chambers, retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber, and allowing the water to pass through the permeable surface of the baffle structure into the internal chamber of the baffle structure and exit out of the liquid outlet.
Such process(s) for treatment of water, wherein the water treatment system further comprises a permeable baffle plate positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the bottom surface within the housing and defining a liquid sump in between; the process further comprising allowing water to pass through the permeable baffle plate into the liquid sump and retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber.
Such process(s) for treatment of water, wherein the water treatment system further comprises of a permeable structure attached to a side surface of the housing, the permeable

structure and side surface co-operating to define a recess therebetween with a liquid outlet positioned within the recess; the process further allowing water to pass through the permeable structure and exit out of the liquid outlet and retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber.
Such process(s) for treatment of water, further comprising dewatering the floc retained in the floc collection chamber.
Such process(s) for treatment of water, further comprising removing heavy metals or arsenic or fluoride from the water by retaining flocs containing these compounds within the floc collection chambers.
Such process(s) for treatment of water, further comprising collection, separation, thickening and dewatering the floc retained in the floc collection chamber.
Examples
The following examples are provided to explain and illustrate some embodiments of the process of water treatment using the water treatment system (10) disclosed.
Example 1
In order to simulate the collection of floc generated during the treatment of 3000 liters of raw water, a dense floc was formed by adding sufficient coagulant and pH adjustor in 7 liters of raw water. The water containing the dense floc was then passed through a water treatment system (10) with a housing (12) having a capacity of 6 liters, with five permeable baffle structures (14) fixed on the baffle plate (38) with the liquid outlet (32) of the baffle structure (14) in fluid communication with the liquid sump (34). Filtered water was collected at the sump outlet (36) at a flow rate of 9 lit/hr. After passing all the floc containing water, three floc collection chambers (16) were filled upto 60 % of their volume and remaining floc collection chambers (16) were still unused and hence more floc could be thickened and dewatered through this system. The thickened and dewatered floc in this container could now

be conveniently transported for disposal with or without further treatment. The turbidity of the inlet water and the output water was measured using a Nephelometer and found to be 1350 and 0.4 NTUs respectively demonstrating that the water treatment system (10) effectively removes the turbidity due to the floc as well as any fine suspended particles present in the input water.
Example 2
In order to simulate the collection of floc generated during the treatment of 3000 liters of raw water, a dense floc was formed by adding sufficient coagulant and pH adjustor in 7 liters of raw water. The water containing the dense floc was then passed through a water treatment system (10) with a housing (12). In this example, the capacity of housing (12) was reduced to 2 liters. The water treatment system (10) illustrated in Figure 5 was used with a permeable structure (42) attached to the side walls of the housing (22) and including a permeable baffle plate. Three baffle structures (14) were fixed on the permeable baffle plate (38) resulting in the formation of four floc collection chambers (16) within housing (12). Filtered water was collected at the sump outlet (36) at a flow rate of 9 lit/hr. Out of the four floc collection chambers (16), three were completely filled with thickened floc while the fourth floc collection chamber (16) was filled upto 80% of its volume. Hence, a 2 liter capacity container was found to be adequate for collecting, separating, thickening and dewatering an amount of floe equivalent to that generated during the treatment of 3000 liters of raw water. The turbidity of the inlet water and output water were measured using a Nephelometer and found to be 2100 and 0.26 NTUs respectively demonstrating that the water treatment system (10) effectively removes the turbidity due to the floc as well as any fine suspended particles present in the input water.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The system as disclosed allows for various steps involved in water treatment such as collection, separation, thickening and dewatering to be carried out continuously within a single container. This eliminates the need of separate thickening and dewatering units. Thus, for a similar raw water treatment capacity, the size of the current system is expected to be significantly smaller than conventional equipment used for water treatment.
In conventional water treatment systems where water flows vertically through the filtration medium, the medium often gets blocked over a period of time. This reduces the efficiency of such systems. In the system disclosed, as the water flows in a horizontal manner, each of the baffle structures (14) works substantially independently of the other. Therefore even if one permeable surface gets clogged, water may be filtered out of the remaining permeable surfaces present on the same or remaining baffle structures (14) resulting in an increase in the efficiency of the water treatment system (10).
As floc is compacted in a smaller container, it is easier to transport the water treatment system (10) for further treatment or disposal, especially when the water contains toxic substances such as arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals and pesticides.
Moreover, conventionally excess amounts of coagulant and pH adjustor are required to generate a heavier floc for faster settling and thickening. However, in the system as disclosed, as the slurry is continuously collected, separated, thickened and dewatered in the same chamber a smaller amount of coagulant and pH adjustor are required for efficient treatment of the effluent.
Moreover, the system as disclosed does not require any external power for its operation. Therefore, it can be used in settings where electricity is not available. Due to the absence of moving parts, the construction and operation of the system is simple as well as cost effective.

Moreover, since the water is continuously dewatered, biological growth within the system is expected to be absent/much lesser as compared to conventional devices.
The system as disclosed is particularly useful for the treatment of drinking water in a domestic or community scale application. It may also be used for the treatment of waste water.
Moreover, while treating the water, the system also reduces turbidity from the input water, thus making it clear after treatment.

WE CLAIM;
1. A water treatment system comprising:
a housing comprising top, bottom and side surfaces and defining an inlet to receive water containing flo or slurry;
a baffle structure within the housing configured to form a plurality of floc collection chambers in fluid communication with each other such that the plurality of floc collection chambers define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing, the baffle structure including at least one permeable surface and defining an internal chamber;
a liquid outlet within the internal chamber of the baffle structure such that the floc present in the water are substantially retained in the plurality of floc collection chambers and water passes through the permeable surface into the internal chamber.
2. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a liquid sump within the housing in fluid connection with the liquid outlet of the internal chamber formed within the baffle structure.
3. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 2 comprising a baffle plate positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the bottom surface within the housing and defining a liquid sump in between.
4. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the baffle plate is permeable.
5. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the baffle plate extends across the bottom surface of the housing.
6. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of baffle structures.
7. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the liquid outlets within the internal chambers of the plurality of baffle structures are in fluid communication with a single liquid sump within the housing.

8. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filtration medium is placed within the internal chamber of the baffle structure.
9. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the filtration medium is made of porous material including any of sand, fired clay, ceramics, glass wool, rice husk ash, or activated charcoal.
10. A water treatment system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a permeable structure is attached to a side surface of the housing, the permeable structure and side surface co-operating to define a recess therebetween with a liquid outlet positioned within the recess.
11. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the liquid outlet within the recess is in fluid communication with a liquid sump positioned within the housing.
12. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the baffle plate, the baffle structure and the permeable structure are interconnected such that a detachable internal permeable chamber is formed within the housing, the internal permeable chamber configured for retaining floc.
13. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing further defines an additional outlet configured to transmit water out of the housing.
14. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 13, wherein an additional outlet is positioned proximate the top surface.
15. A water treatment system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the permeable surface is made of any one of sand, fired clay, ceramics, glass wool, rice husk ash, activated charcoal fabric, mesh or foam including cotton, canvas, felt, nylon, polypropylene, polyamide polyester, polyvinyl alcohol or a combinations thereof.
16. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is made of any one of metal, plastic, concrete, ceramic, wood, stone or their combination.

17. A water treatment system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the baffle plate is made of any one of metal, plastic, concrete, ceramic, wood, stone or their combination.
18. A process for treatment of water in a water treatment system, the water treatment system comprising:
a housing comprising top, bottom and side surfaces and defining an inlet to receive water containing floc or slurry;
a baffle structure within the housing configured to form a plurality of floc collection chambers in fluid communication with each other such that the plurality of floc collection chambers define a flow path substantially horizontally across the housing, the baffle structure including at least one permeable surface and defining an internal chamber; and
a liquid outlet within the internal chamber of the baffle structure; the process comprising:
passing the water through the housing inlet into one or more floc collection chamber, such that the water may travel along the substantially horizontal flow path defined by the plurality of floc collection chambers;
retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber; and
allowing the water to pass through the permeable surface of the baffle structure into the internal chamber of the baffle structure and exit out of the liquid outlet.
19. A process for treatment of water as claimed in claim 17, wherein the water treatment system further comprises a permeable baffle plate positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the bottom surface within the housing and defining a liquid sump in between; the process further comprising allowing water to pass through the permeable baffle plate into the liquid sump and retaining the floc in one or more floe collection chamber.
20. A process for treating water as claimed in claim 17, wherein the water treatment system further comprises of a permeable structure attached to a side surface of the housing, the permeable structure and side surface co-operating to define a recess therebetween with a liquid outlet positioned within the recess; the process further

allowing water to pass through the permeable structure and exit out of the liquid outlet and retaining the floc in one or more floc collection chamber.
21. A process for treatment of water as claimed in claim 17, further comprising dewatering the floc retained in the floc collection chamber.
22. A process for treatment of water as claimed in claim 17, further comprising removing heavy metals or arsenic or fluoride from the water by retaining flocs containing these compounds within the floc collection chambers.
23. A process for treatment of water as claimed in claim 17, further comprising collection, separation, thickening and dewatering the floc retained in the floc collection chamber.
24. A water treatment system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying figures.
25. A process for treatment of water substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying figures.