A charged particle polymer hybrid (CPPH) flocculant is taught, comprising sub-micron size charged particles and a polymer which has been polymerized in the presence of the charged particles wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the hybrid polymer flocculant is less than 930 ml/g. A method is provided for producing freely draining flocculated sediment from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method comprises dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle polymer hybrid (CPPH) flocculant into the suspension to determine a starting plateau concentration of CPPH flocculant above which concentration no further increase in the solids loading of the produced floccules is observed. Then, the concentration of dispersed CPPH flocculant in the suspension is maintained at or above the starting plateau concentration. A method is further provided for separating fine solids and water from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method involves dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle polymer hybrid (CPPH) flocculant into the suspension to determine a starting plateau concentration of CPPH flocculant above which concentration no further increase in the solids loading of the produced floccules is observed. Then, the concentration of dispersed CPPH flocculant in the suspension is maintained at or above the starting plateau concentration. The dispersion of CPPH flocculant in the suspension is agitated and the solid floccules are then separated from the supernatant liquid.