with the present invention a problem that one can encounter is if one simply places the peat in accordance with the present invention into a filter casing and flows water through it is that the smaller particles of peat can migrate through the larger particles and cause a bridge at the discharge end which can drastically reduce or stop the flow our most preferred filter in accordance with the present invention is schematically illustrated in the figure by using a device as shown in the figure a slight but detectable degree of turbulence can be created in the contaminated water being processed this degree of turbulence is enough to keep the peat in a swirling motion and at the same time this swirling motion settles the peat dust once the peat dust is settled it is relatively evenly distributed throughout the mass of peat in the filter and at that time the peat will cease movement and will start packing at this point in time however any packing phenomenon does not create any problem because the even distribution of the peat dust and the large peat particles create flow paths through the body of peat in the filter which allows the water to migrate or flow through the body of the peat the peat is hydrophobic.