How AFM helps reduce water consumption by 50 per cent
Achieving 50% Backwash Water Reduction with AFM®
Wondering how you can obtain a substantial 50% backwash water reduction for your swimming pool?
Whether reducing pool backwash frequency or reaping the financial rewards of lower water usage is your priority, incorporating AFM (Activated Filter Media) into your pool filtration system can help you to either of these goals.
What is AFM in pool filtration?
AFM is high-performance pool filtration media manufactured by Dryden Aqua.
Made from recycled glass, it can filter swimming pool water particles down to 1 micron, making it a fantastic alternative to traditional sand which can only filter down to 20-30 microns.
Offering commercial pool owners a variety of benefits, this advanced filtration media provides superior filtration, ensures healthier pool water, reduces backwash water consumption, and even has a long lifespan.
How much backwash water does AFM save during pool filtration?
According to Dryden, utilising AFM in your pool filtration system can reduce backwash water consumption by 50 to 80% when compared to alternative filtration media solutions.
This exact amount of backwash water saved depends on the type of AFM used (AFM is available in various grades including the advanced AFM NG), the filtration speed, the backwash velocity, and the contaminant load.
For an accurate idea of how much backwash water you could save by switching to AFM for your pool filtration system, why not arrange an initial consultation with the expert engineers at Chemsol Group?
How does it reduce backwash water?
AFM’s impressive efficacy when it comes to reducing pool backwash frequency is thanks to various factors and features, including:
Superior filtration
A self-sterilising media with the ability to filter particles down to 1 micron, AFM can remove a much wider range of dirt, debris, and contaminants from the water.
This superior filtration not only ensures a clearer, cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable swimming experience, but also means less frequent backwashing is required, helping to save water.
Lower backwash flow rates
The ideal backwash flow rates for effective AFM backwashing are typically a velocity of 40 to 50 m/h (meters per hour) for around four minutes, while sand media needs to be backwashed at 60m/h for 5 minutes or longer.
This results in measurable water and energy savings that add up over time, leading to significant operational savings in these areas.
Deep bed filter compatibility
AFM can also be used in conjunction with deep bed filters in swimming pool filtration to enhance the dirt-trapping and water-saving capabilities. This is because the increased depth of the media bed allows for longer filtration cycles between cleaning periods.
In turn, this reduces the frequency of backwashing, helping to minimise unnecessary water usage.
Bio-resistant properties
Unlike sand media, which is prone to clogging due to biofilm development, AFM boasts bio-resistant properties which help it to prevent clogging during pool filtration.
This allows the filter to work more efficiently, meaning it requires less water without compromising on the quality of the clean.
Why is pool water conservation important in the UK?
Yes, pool water conservation comes with tangible cost-saving benefits including reduced water bills, decreased chemical consumption, and lower heating and filtering costs.
However, it’s also crucial for the wider environment and UK.
According to a government news release published in June 2025, the UK is grappling with a severe water scarcity issue that’s predicted to worsen over the next few decades.
Per the press release, England could face a daily five billion litre shortfall for public water supplies by 2055 with an additional daily 1 billion litre deficit for the wider economy.
Pool water conservation in the UK is therefore crucial to conserving water and helping to avoid scarcity issues now and in the future.
Request a pool filtration system quote today
Whether you need a full technical assessment, have compliance concerns, or want to discuss AFM upgrade options, our expert team of water treatment engineers can help.
An initial consultation is the best way to find out more about your filtration requirements and explore some of the latest and most suitable solutions for your specific application – be it a spa, private swimming pool, or commercial aquatic facility.
Depending on your needs, we can provide everything from plug-and-play pool filtration packages to custom-made solutions that are specially tailored to your exacting requirements.
To arrange an initial survey or to simply speak to our experienced engineers about AFM pool filtration solutions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
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“How AFM can help you to achieve 50% backwash water reduction”
“Can AFM help to reduce backwash water by 50%?”
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