Thank you for the detailed response FishinRod, it is helpful to understand the mechanics.

If you’ll allow me I’d like to gently press on your point that “Experience shows us that it just doesn't work that way.”

I’m not sure I understand why not. If there are say 100 pounds of suspended clay particles floating around in the water (just picking a number), and half of them flocullate with the alum and sink to the bottom, won’t that mean there are only 50 pounds left of suspended clay in the water column? Once that remaining 50 lbs is evenly distributed, won’t the water clarity double, given that now there is only half as much suspended clay in the water?

What do you think FishinRod? Your thoughts Snipe would be appreciated as well, as would any thoughts from others.