Cloth Media Filtration for Tertiary Treatment
A compact, low-energy polishing stage — often the fastest way to reach tighter effluent targets.
Cloth media filtration (also known as pile-cloth or disc filtration) is one of the most space-efficient ways to polish secondary effluent. Rotating discs or panels covered with a fine textile media capture residual suspended solids and particulate-bound phosphorus, typically taking effluent from 15-25 mg/L TSS down to below 10 mg/L. It runs at very low energy, needs little head, and fits into existing plants with minimal civil works — which is why it is a popular first step for operators facing tighter discharge requirements.
Key Numbers
Where cloth media filtration fits
Cloth media filters sit at the very end of the treatment train, polishing secondary effluent before discharge or reuse. Because they are modular and shallow, they are frequently the technology of choice when operators need a visible step-change in effluent quality without rebuilding the plant. They pair especially well with upstream chemical dosing when phosphorus needs to be co-removed.
Rotating Disc Cloth Filter
highSegmented discs covered in pile-cloth media, gravity-fed with in-situ backwash of individual segments.
- Smallest footprint
- Very low energy
- Continuous operation
- Straightforward retrofit
- Best for gravity feed
- Periodic media replacement
- Needs upstream screening
Panel / Travelling-Bridge Cloth Filter
highFixed cloth panels or a travelling backwash bridge, often used where flows are larger or variable.
- Handles larger flows
- Simple maintenance
- Good solids capture
- Compact basin
- Larger basin than disc
- Media care needed
- Limited head loss
Engineering Insight
For Existing Plants
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Last reviewed: August 2026. Regulatory requirements may vary by national implementation. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or engineering advice.