Embedded influent diffuser for floating media filter

A floating media filter comprising:

• (a) a filter housing having an inflow conduit extending into the filter housing, the inflow conduit having at least one outflow aperture positioned below an effluent outlet of the filter housing;
• (b) a floating media positioned in the filter housing and forming a media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage, the media bed having a lower surface and an upper surface defining a filtration zone between the lower and upper media bed surfaces during the filtration stage;
• (c) a diffuser trough including an upper edge, the diffuser trough positioned in the filter housing such that (i) the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough, and (ii) the outflow aperture of the inflow conduit is position sufficiently close to a surface of the diffuser trough such that influent flow, during the filtration stage, is initially directed against and/or along the surface of the diffuser trough, and then redirected in a path into the media bed;
• and
• (d) a backwashing mechanism selected from the group consisting of (i) a charge chamber selectively discharging air into the media bed while allowing liquid to enter the charge chamber;
• (ii) a constricted throat in the filter housing below the media bed and a valve allowing discharge of sufficient liquid to cause a rapid drop of the media bed into the throat;
• (iii) at least one propeller positioned in the filter housing and rotated with sufficient speed to disperse the media bed;
• and (iv) at least one paddle positioned in the filter chamber and rotated with sufficient speed to stir the media bed.