Lightweight fibrous media (LFM) filter

A water filtration system comprising:

• an elongate housing having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposing end;
• a center cylinder extending axially within the elongate housing and spaced from an elongate interior surface of the elongate housing, defining an annular space therebetween, a first end of the center cylinder adjacent the inlet being imperforate with the opposing end of the center cylinder being perforated;
• a hydraulic media plate substantially corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional area of the center cylinder and having a hole extending therethrough, is disposed within the center cylinder;
• a tube having a first closed end extending through the hole and a second perforated end in fluid communication with the outlet;
• and
• a plurality of lightweight fibrous media balls disposed within the center cylinder between the hydraulic media plate and the opposing end of the elongate housing, and surrounding the perforated end of the tube;
• wherein a flow of water to be filtered enters the elongate housing through the inlet, urging the hydraulic media plate away from the inlet end of the elongate housing and compressing the lightweight fibrous media balls until the flow of water can flow through the perforated portion of the central cylinder and into the annular space, where it can then flow back through the perforated cylinder at points more distant from the inlet, through the compressed lightweight fibrous media balls, into the perforated tube and out through the elongate housing outlet.