If you've followed FASS Diesel Fuel Systems recently, you might've noticed a phrase showing up more and more often:
Real Water Separation.
If not, you'll be seeing it in our videos, social media posts, advertisements, magazine articles, product literature, and website graphics.
So what we mean when we say "Real Water Separation?"
Our Extreme Water Separator Actually Traps Water
Most diesel owners are familiar with the idea of a water separator, but not all water separators work the same way.
The FASS Extreme Water Separator utilizes a specialized microglass filtration element that traps and retains water within the filter element itself.
In fact, the element removes over 99% of the water found in diesel fuel.
This is fundamentally different from many traditional coalescing-style filters.
A coalescing filter is designed to collect water droplets and allow them to settle to the bottom of the filter housing where they can eventually be drained.
The FASS Extreme Water Separator takes a different approach.
Rather than allowing water to pool inside the filter, the water is
captured and retained within the filtration media itself.
That's also why our Extreme Water Separator doesn't feature a drain. Because the water is trapped inside the filter element—not collecting at the bottom of the housing—there's nothing to drain except diesel fuel.
Real Water Separation Means Real Water Removal
The second reason we use the phrase
"Real Water Separation" is because a FASS Fuel System doesn't just manage water—it actually removes it.
Our testing has demonstrated that FASS Fuel Systems remove over 99% of the water from diesel fuel.
More importantly, those results aren't based solely on internal testing.
The performance of FASS water separation technology has been independently verified by
SGS Laboratories, one of the world's leading testing and certification organizations.
The complete testing data and results are available throughout our blog for anyone who wants to review the science behind the claims.
Why Water Removal Matters
Water contamination is one of the most damaging substances that can enter a diesel fuel system.
Even small amounts of water can contribute to:
- Injector wear
- Corrosion
- Reduced fuel lubricity
- Injection pump damage
- Expensive fuel system repairs (thousands of dollars in most cases)
Modern diesel injection systems operate at incredibly high pressures, making clean, dry fuel more important than ever.
That's why effective water removal isn't just a feature—it's a necessity.
The FASS Difference
When we say "Real Water Separation," we're talking about more than marketing language.
We're referring to our microglass-equipped Extreme Water Separator that:
- Traps water inside the filter element
- Removes over 99% of water contamination
- Has been independently verified through third-party testing
- Helps protect expensive diesel injection systems from water-related damage
Simply put, nothing on the market removes and traps water quite like a FASS Diesel Fuel System.
And that's exactly why we've started calling it what it is: Real Water Separation.
