Abstract: A water processing system provides prevention of scale formation in both interrupted and recirculating flow operations. The system includes an inlet for receiving an inlet water flow, a magnetizing chamber, and an outlet for providing an outlet water flow. The magnetizing chamber is included in a device that has at least one permanent rod/bar magnet at least partially disposed within the water flow. The magnet has an axis extending between the poles thereof in a direction perpendicular to the flow, so that the magnetizing chamber exerts a magnetic force on scale suspended within the inlet water flow, and so that the suspended scale remains in suspension in the outlet water flow.

Abstract: A water filtration system and water filtration system head provide interchangeable water inlet and outlet ports, so that a direction of a flow of water through the water filtration system can be reversed by configuring a valve provided in the water filtration system head that attaches to a cartridge housing containing a water filter cartridge. The head has a first fluid channel communicating with a fluid volume between the cartridge housing and the outer surface of a water filter cartridge, a second fluid channel in communication with an inside of the cartridge, and a multi-position valve that either conducts inlet water from a first port to the first fluid channel and conducts outlet water from the second fluid channel to the second port, or conducts inlet water from the second port to the first fluid channel and conducts outlet water from the second fluid channel to the first port.

Abstract: A flow-directing water filtration system provides a flow of water through a cylindrical filter cartridge that is more uniform by inclusion of multiple water-directing ridges that form channels between them between the inner wall of the housing and an outside wall of the water filter cartridge for directing laminar flow of water along the outside wall of the water filter cartridge to improve distribution of water flow through the water filter cartridge along its length. The ridges may be formed on the inner wall of the housing, may have a half-circular profile and may be helical ridges that spiral along the extent of the cartridge and may taper in profile toward the bottom of the cartridge.