An object of this invention is to provide an improved means of water treatment effectiveness. The invention strips floating and sinking particulates from flowing water with netting and inclined settling cells, which are arranged in an overlapping fashion to save treatment space. The effluent invert is virtually level with the influent invert to minimize pressure loss. The device pre-treats water for further treatment by filtering methods and among other application is ideally suited for applications where low depth profile treatment is beneficial or required.