This paper will briefly examine several filter monitoring techniques and then focus on the study of specific head loss accumulation rate (SHAR). SHAR has a unit of ft/MGD.Hr or head loss/filtration rate* filter run time. The SHAR concept is similar to the average acceleration rate concept in physics. SHAR takes into consideration head loss buildup due to both run time and filtration rate. Drinking water professionals have only used filter head loss rate (ft/hr). Head loss rate does not consider filtration rate. As a result, head loss rate is only meaningful when the filtration rate is constant. Includes reference, figures.