Abstract: The present invention is a waste water filter for use in a septic tank. The waste water filter includes a shield comprising a vertical peripheral wall substantially impervious to the passage of unfiltered waste water. The shield includes an opening for the entry of unfiltered waste water into the interior of the shield. A filter element is disposed substantially within the shield interior. The filter element includes a filter surface having filtering openings for restricting the passage of waste water solids of a size larger than the filtering openings, while allowing the passage relatively clear water. A reservoir within which filtered waste water may be temporarily maintained is disposed at least partially within the interior of the shield. The reservoir includes at least a first vertical peripheral wall defining a chamber. The filter element may be removed from the shield without the separation of the reservoir from the shield.

Abstract: A waste water filter comprises a shield comprising a vertical peripheral wall defining a shield interior. The shield further includes an inlet for the entry of unfiltered wastewater into the shield interior. A shield filter element is disposed within the shield interior. The shield filter element includes at least one filter surface having filter surface openings for the passage of relatively clear water while restricting the passage of solids larger than the openings. The shield filter element, when disposed within the shield, separates the shield interior into first and second interior locations. Unfiltered or partially filtered waste water in the first interior location is separated from filtered waste water in the second location by the shield filter element. The shield filter element is removable from the shield. Unfiltered or partially filtered waste water entering the shield interior after shield filter element removal will enter the first and second interior locations within the shield.