Abstract: A coalescing/filtration media composed of yarn-like material held together during normal operation but loosened during backwash to allow "strumming" or vibrating to help loosen media-clogging material, and an armature arrangement by which a cylindrical assembly of yarn segments can be tightened in a helical fashion to perform as filtration/coalescing media or, during backwash, can be loosened to promote the dislodging of clogging material.