Sediment Filters are designed to remove suspended solids, which are also known as sediment, turbidity, or particulate.  A sediment filter essentially functions like a net that catches unwanted dirt particles as your water flows through the system.

Sediment filters are very common in many homes, but they have a limited function. Only sediment that will become trapped in the bed of natural media is removed.  Trace pathogen elements, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds can still remain in your water.  However, in most cases, sediment filters do a good enough job to reduce the levels of unwanted particles to trace amounts which are deemed safe for drinking water.  This means you can get drinkable, clean water with a sediment filter.