Sediment filters capture dirt, rust, silt, dust and other particulate matter from water. Sediment filters are usually used at the water input to protect carbon, KDF or other filters from contamination and clogging. Sediment filters may also be used at other stages to protect filters from becoming fouled or clogged from carbon or other fine dust particles that may be released from GAC or similar filters that utilize granulated media.
The longest lasting most effective sediment filters use pleated polypropylene or cellulose and polyester, while inexpensive sediment filters use a wound or spun mesh nylon. Pleated designs, due to their larger surface area and low water resistance result in a low water pressure drop and provide higher flow rates and greater filtration capacity than spun filters. Pleated designs can often be cleaned and reused.
All OPUS drinking water systems utilize either an initial horizontally mounted Omnipure 5 micron sediment filter or a 5 micron carbon filter in the first vertical housing cylinder. An additional 1 micron filter is usually placed after the fluoride and chlorine or chloramine filters to ensure no dust or carbon particles (fines) can reach the final 0.5 or 0.01 micron polishing filters in the models equipped with those.