Critical to the performance of a sand filter is its ability to create uniform flow across the entire sand bed surface and provide maximum backwash characteristics.

Compare, for example, the specifications of a 48-inch sand filter tank and consider:

LAKOS Underdrain
Total length of 1- 1/4 inch dia. open screen material: 17 feet

Total open area of screen: 51 square inches
Screen-to-inlet ratio:
4: 1 more open area than inlet size

Hub & Spoke Underdrain
Total length of 1 -1/4 inch dia. open screen material: 6 feet

Total open area of screen: 17 square inches
Screen-to-inlet ratio: 1.4: 1 more open area than inlet size

Flat Lateral Underdrain
Total length of 1 -1/4 inch dia. open screen material: 3 feet

Total open area of screen: 8-3/4 square inches
Screen-to-inlet ratio: 0.7:1 less open area than inlet size

- LAKOS Underdrain features 556% more open area than the Flat Lateral and 282% more than the Hub & Spoke.

- LAKOS Underdrain features the industry's lowest pressure loss: 0 to 1.5 psi (0 to 0.1 bar) through a clean filter system. Longer filtration cycles, less backwashing/water loss and reduced backwash cycles & system wear.

- LAKOS Underdrain makes maximum use of the filter's entire surface area, avoiding contaminant build-up, residual/continuous "dead spots" and premature/excessive backwashing.

- LAKOS Underdrain delivers optimum backwashing to lift and flush the sand bed with maximum efficiency, returning the sand filter to its lowest pressure loss for longer operating cycles, less water loss and reduced moving parts fatigue.

- LAKOS Underdrain does not require multi-grade sand media or gravel to disperse the backwash flow. Simplifies installation and replacement processes.