___ are used to help prevent short circuiting in sedimentation basins.

• A. Weirs
• B. Scrapers
• C. Funnels
• D. Baffles

Answer: (D)

Short circuiting happens when the incoming water finds a quick path straight to the outlet, skipping much of the basin and reducing the time solids have to settle. Baffles inside the basin break up that direct flow, creating longer, slower channels. This slows the water, increases hydraulic retention time, and promotes more uniform flow so suspended particles have a better chance to settle before exiting. Weirs are used to surface over the outlet, scrapers remove settled sludge, and funnels aren’t used for this purpose, so baffles are the best choice to prevent short-circuiting.