在小型系统中成功运行水过滤过程需要时间、精力和对过滤工作原理的理解。本文的目的是简要描述小型系统中可能使用的过滤过程，解释其工作原理，并讨论操作和维护程序。三种不同的过滤过程用于小型系统，并在地表水处理规则中得到明确认可:混凝和过滤、慢速砂过滤和硅藻土过滤。所有这些过程都可以过滤掉水中的颗粒，但每个过程中涉及的颗粒去除的一些概念是不同的。对于这三种过程中的每一种，都会解决一些潜在问题及其后果、重要的操作方面以及一些维护问题。

Successful operation of water filtration processes in small systems requires time, effort, and an understanding of how filtration works. The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe filtration processes that may be used in small systems, to explain how they work, and to discuss operation and maintenance procedures. Three different filtration processes are used for small systems and are specifically recognized in the Surface Water Treatment Rule: coagulation and filtration, slow sand filtration, and diatomaceous earth filtration. All of these processes can filter particles out of water, but some of the concepts involved in particle removal are different for each process. For each of the three types of processes, some potential problems and their consequences, important operating aspects, and some maintenance concerns are addressed.