A filtering apparatus having a filtering mode and a self-cleaning mode, the apparatus provided for filtering an upstream flowing fluid with filtering elements in the form of a plurality of stackable discs during filtering mode utilizing a first flow direction, apparatus also configured to self-clean said filtering elements with said upstream flowing fluid during self-cleaning mode utilizing a second flow direction, the apparatus encased within a housing including a fluid diverter (110,210) for controlling the flow through said housing, a central spine assembly (120,220) for housing said plurality of stackable discs, and a piston assembly (130,230) for controlling the configuration of said plurality of disc filters along said disc filer spine, a. said housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion that are coupled with one another; housing further comprising at least three openings to allow said first flow direction during filtering mode, and said second flow direction during self-cleaning mode, said at least three openings including an inlet opening for receiving upstream unfiltered fluid, an outlet for receiving downstream filtered fluid and a flush exit for removing filtered waste materials, wherein the flow through said housing between said openings is controlled by the position of a fluid diverter disposed within upper portion of housing; b. said central spine assembly for holding said plurality of filtering elements both in a stacked configuration during filtration mode and an un-stacked configuration during self-cleaning mode; said spine assembly having a first end and a second end; c. said spine assembly associated at a first end with said piston assembly having a closed configuration during filtration mode, and an open configuration during self-cleaning mode; wherein the closed configuration of said piston assembly provides for maintaining said filtering elements in a stacked formation along the length of said spine during filtration; and wherein said piston assembly open configuration provides for un-stacking said filtering elements during self-cleaning mode to facilitate flushing waste materials through said flush exit; wherein said piston assembly is actuated by the position of said fluid diverter; d. said spine assembly associated at a second end 122 with said fluid diverter in the form of a valve body said fluid diverter is disposed internally within said housing, at upper portion,said fluid diverter is controlled externally to said housing with a controller; said fluid diverter having two states for actuating between filtering mode, utilizing said first flow direction, and self-cleaning mode, utilizing said second flow direction; the fluid diverter having a dedicated aperture in fluid communication with a peripheral channel utilized during self-cleaning mode, said dedicated aperture is configured to receive upstream flowing fluid that is diverted to said peripheral channel and into a plurality of spine legs of said spine assembly (120,220) wherein said spine legs have orifices defined along its length, said orifices are used to jet fluid so as to clean said plurality of disc filters. a. said housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion that are coupled with one another; housing further comprising at least three openings to allow said first flow direction during filtering mode, and said second flow direction during self-cleaning mode, said at least three openings including an inlet opening for receiving upstream unfiltered fluid, an outlet for receiving downstream filtered fluid and a flush exit for removing filtered waste materials, wherein the flow through said housing between said openings is controlled by the position of a fluid diverter disposed within upper portion of housing; b. said central spine assembly for holding said plurality of filtering elements both in a stacked configuration during filtration mode and an un-stacked configuration during self-cleaning mode; said spine assembly having a first end and a second end; c. said spine assembly associated at a first end with said piston assembly having a closed configuration during filtration mode, and an open configuration during self-cleaning mode; wherein the closed configuration of said piston assembly provides for maintaining said filtering elements in a stacked formation along the length of said spine during filtration; and wherein said piston assembly open configuration provides for un-stacking said filtering elements during self-cleaning mode to facilitate flushing waste materials through said flush exit; wherein said piston assembly is actuated by the position of said fluid diverter; d. said spine assembly associated at a second end 122 with said fluid diverter in the form of a valve body said fluid diverter is disposed internally within said housing, at upper portion,said fluid diverter is controlled externally to said housing with a controller; said fluid diverter having two states for actuating between filtering mode, utilizing said first flow direction, and self-cleaning mode, utilizing said second flow direction; the fluid diverter having a dedicated aperture in fluid communication with a peripheral channel utilized during self-cleaning mode, said dedicated aperture is configured to receive upstream flowing fluid that is diverted to said peripheral channel and into a plurality of spine legs of said spine assembly (120,220) wherein said spine legs have orifices defined along its length, said orifices are used to jet fluid so as to clean said plurality of disc filters.