The filter consist of either a rigid elements which are covered by

closely wound wire or fabric or cylinder of fused alumina or ceramics.

A precoat of diatomaceous earth amounting to 0.3 Kg/m2 of filter
area is required by placing it in the first water applied after backwash.
Water is wasted until the filter element is coated. The diatomaceous
earth is added continuously in a slurry to the raw water to form a what
we called a body coat and which generally increases the thickness of
the layer on the filter. The body is added at a rate of 2 to 3 mg/L per
turbidity unit in the raw water.
Up-flow Filters the direction of flow is the same as that of the
backwash, hence the water is filtered by progressively finer layers as it
passes through the bed. It is loaded at rates equaling or exceeding
the maximum used on standard filters and have the potential of
producing potable water. They are generally used with in-line
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration all occur within
the filter medium.