Commercially available polyelectrolytes have been tested for clarification of raw water obtained from river Kuakhai near Bhubaneswar, state capital of Orissa. These reagents used as a coagulating aid, have shown the advantageous effect of decreasing turbidity of settled water there by helping in reducing the dosages of aluminium sulphate. The polymers adjuncted with magnetite particles have increased the kinetics of settling. The effect of polyelectrolytes such as Magnafloc LT-27, LT-31 and LT-225, their concentration and pH have been studied. If has been possible to reduce the turbidity of the saw water from 234 to 3 NTU. The total dissolved solids and colour of the water has also been reduced to some extent.