Abstract: Provided is a filter screen having a plurality of slots, each slot having a longest principal axis A1 that has a length L, and each slot having a second axis A2 that is perpendicular to A1 and that has a length W, wherein the distance between adjacent slots in the direction of the axes A2 is XP; wherein XP is greater than W; wherein the distance between adjacent slots in the direction of the axes A1 is YP; either wherein L is 800 micrometers or less and XP is 350 micrometers or less, or wherein L is 1600 ?m or less and XP is 180 ?m or less. Also provided is a method of filtering feed water using such a filter screen.