Apparatus and method for filtering fluids

1. A method for filtering fluid comprising:

providing fluid to be filtered against a first side of a flexible membrane opposite from a second side of the flexible membrane that includes compressible filter media;

compressing the flexible membrane with the fluid to be filtered from the first side to compress the filter media on the second side of the flexible membrane; and

filtering the fluid to be filtered through the filter media on the second side of the flexible membrane to remove solid particles from the fluid to be filtered, wherein the filter media includes detached fibrous bundles.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

agitating the filter media to dislodge solids adhering to the media after filtering fluid through the media; and

removing effluent containing solids dislodged during the agitating of the filter media by guiding expelled backwash fluid away from reentering a housing.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the filter media is included in a bed of filter media, the bed including at least two different compression zones.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one compression zone is uncompressed by the flexible membrane.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

compressing and increasing density of at least a portion of the filter media in a direction non-parallel to the direction of the flow of fluid to be filtered through the filter media by overcoming hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within a housing;

filtering the fluid through the media to remove solid particles; and

agitating and circulating the filter media to backwash the solid particles from the media.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein elevated backwash fluid is expelled through an upper perforated plate in the housing that includes at least one trough adjacent to the plate that directs elevated backwash fluid from reentering the housing through the plate.