By Sheila Anthony

In a multi-stage filtration system, incoming water encounters the sediment filter first. It’s typically referred to as a “mechanical filter” because it physically blocks debris or suspended solids from making it to either the faucet or to the next stage of the filtration process.

Examples of debris are rust flakes from pipes; silt from storm runoff, dirt churned up by water-line working being done down the street; a water source with naturally high turbidity; and even pollen. Debris, or sediment, is basically any solid that can be moved by a liquid and deposited somewhere else.

Sediment in a home’s water does more than just create cloudy looking and unappealing tasting water. It can clog up and damage plumbing components and appliances. It also negatively impacts the efficiency of the other filters in a filtration system. They need a sediment filter in place doing its job so they can do theirs. Sediment filters catch the “big stuff” so the other filters can intercept more worrisome (and smaller) contaminants like chlorine, lead, arsenic, bacteria, viruses, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals.

The Brio Stage 1 Sediment Filter is a melt-blown polypropylene filter. High-velocity gas is blown through molten polymer, resulting in a filter cartridge built from its core out with intricately layered fibers. As untreated water enters the filter housing it passes through the filter’s meticulously layered wall which, because of its design, can block increasingly finer particulates—down to 5 microns in size. Stage-1 treated water is pushed up through the filter’s hollow center tube, then is moved on to the next filter.

This filter reduces

• dirt
• dust
• rust
• large pollen grains
• rust flakes
• fine particulates

as small as 5 microns.

To put 5 microns (or 0.00019685 of an inch) in perspective, 40 microns is the nominal threshold for naked-eye visibility. Here are additional comparisons:

• Grain of salt = 100 microns
• Single shaft of human hair = 50–90 microns
• Grain of talcum powder = 10 microns
• Red blood cell = 8 microns

Whether you’re on a municipal water system or you rely on a private well, sediment in your water can be an annoyance. Without some sort of filtration in place (even a faucet with a good aerator helps) you’re liable to see it coming out of your tap from time to time, so it’s a good idea to invest in a reliable sediment filter that will protect your plumbing and your other filters while improving the look and taste of your water.