ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Settleable solids

Settleable solids are tiny bits and pieces that can be found in water or other liquids, like dirt, sand, or even food particles. These tiny bits are so small that it's hard to see them with your eyes.

When we talk about settleable solids, we mean the bits that are heavy enough to sink down to the bottom of the container they are in. Imagine if you were playing in a pool with some sand at the bottom. If you stirred up the sand, you would see it floating around in the water. But eventually, the sand would start to settle, or sink, back down to the bottom of the pool. The sand that settles is called settleable solids.

Settleable solids can be a problem for water treatment plants because they can cause clogs in pipes and filters. That's why these solids are often removed from water before it's used for drinking or other purposes.

In summary, settleable solids are tiny bits that sink to the bottom of a container, and they can cause problems in water treatment plants because they can clog pipes and filters.