Sediment Filters

Sediment filters are used to remove suspended solids such as sand, silt, and other grit.

Canister Filters

- pros -

∙ Relatively inexpensive

∙ Fairly compact

∙ Readily available

- cons -

∙ Filters must be regularly changed

∙ Use case limitations

∙ More hands-on

**We recommend using 5 micron string-wound filters**
**Typical filters are not designed to be washed off and reused.**

Settling Tanks

Settling tanks are ideal when there is a high sediment load and/or ferric iron that would quickly overwhelm a canister filter.

- pros -

∙ More hands-off

∙ Automatic cleaning

∙ Handles high sediment loads

- cons -

∙ More expensive to install

∙ Requires power

∙ Requires a place to drain

Further Reading

Recommendations for sediment removal can vary based on the chemistry of the water. When Iron is present, canister style filters are not ideal because they rapidly clog with iron and have to be changed frequently (multiple times a week in some cases).

In our experience, backwashing sediment filters are not effective at removing sediment because the sediment fails to properly clean out of the filter and eventually bleads into the house and/or clogs up the filter. Also, sediment damages the internal parts of the backwashing valve, causing additional maintenance costs. This is why we developed the settling tank, which does not have internal parts that can clog or wear out, and a hardened automatic purge valve designed to withstand sediment.