Abstract: A method for treating water using natural polymers that provide an alternate and improved means to achieve enhanced coagulation is described. A method for removing particles, color, and color from drinking water, comprising adding a primary coagulant such as a natural, cationic polymer like chitosan or a cationic starch and a coagulant aid such as bentonite to drinking water to form a mixture. A preferred concentration weight ratio of natural polymer to clay mineral is between 1:5 and 1:20.A composition for removing particles and color from drinking water is described that includes a natural, cationic polymer coagulant and clay mineral in a total amount effective to coagulate suspended material in the drinking water. The composition includes a weight ratio natural polymer coagulant/clay mineral of between about 1:5 to about 1:20.