Flow rate (water filter)
Overview
Flow rate describes how quickly water passes through a filter system under pressure or gravity. It declines as filters clog with sediment or biological material.
Key points
- Measured in volume per unit time, typically liters per minute.
- Affected by filter pore size, cleanliness, and water quality.
- Backflushing restores flow by reversing water through the filter.
- Gravity systems provide consistent flow with minimal effort.
- Cold temperatures may slow flow rates in some filters.
- Essential for estimating time required to treat water.
Details
Water filter flow rate indicates how fast a filtration system can process water. Squeeze-style filters depend on applied pressure, while gravity setups rely on height differences to draw water through the membrane. Flow rate decreases as particulates or organic matter accumulate inside the filter structure.
Backflushing is the primary method of restoring performance, pushing clean water backward through the filter to clear obstructions. Flow rate can vary significantly between different filter models, even within the same pore-size class.
Understanding flow rate helps hikers plan efficient water collection, especially in large groups or on routes with long dry stretches.
Related topics
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