A normal flow filtration system having a housing with one or more filters contained within a bowl and attached to the outlet of the system. Liquid enters the bowl, contacts the surfaces of the one or more filters. Impurities are trapped in the filter and the filtered liquid flows through to the outlet. Parameter(s) such as flow rate, transmembrane pressure drop and/or time are measured and when met, filtration ceases. A backflushing occurs through the filter(s) so as to remove the impurities from the filter. This backwashed material is directed to an outlet of the bowl that is connected to a drain. Additionally a port formed in the side of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the filter(s) can be used to provide a lateral washing of the filter(s). The system is then recirculated in a downstream manner to reestablish equilibrium and filtration is then restarted.