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 and including: an internal fluid diverter 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 filter spine, a. said housing 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 at least three openings is controlled by the position of the fluid diverter; b. said central spine assembly for holding said plurality of filtering elements both in a stacked configuration during the filtration mode and an un-stacked configuration during the 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 the 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 with said fluid diverter, said fluid diverter is controlled externally to said housing with a controller; said fluid diverter having two states for actuating between filtering mode and self-cleaning mode; 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 flowing fluid that is diverted to said peripheral channel (3 10c) 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; e. said fluid diverter featuring a pressure relief aperture having an opening featuring a pressure relief piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly is configured to equalize pressure between said first open aperture and said pressure relieve aperture by opening or closing said opening. a. said housing 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 at least three openings is controlled by the position of the fluid diverter; b. said central spine assembly for holding said plurality of filtering elements both in a stacked configuration during the filtration mode and an un-stacked configuration during the 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 the 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 with said fluid diverter, said fluid diverter is controlled externally to said housing with a controller; said fluid diverter having two states for actuating between filtering mode and self-cleaning mode; 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 flowing fluid that is diverted to said peripheral channel (3 10c) 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; e. said fluid diverter featuring a pressure relief aperture having an opening featuring a pressure relief piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly is configured to equalize pressure between said first open aperture and said pressure relieve aperture by opening or closing said opening.