A valve assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with a replaceable
filter cartridge system. The valve assembly includes a head member having
an interior valve chamber defining a central axis, and inlet and outlet
passages extending parallel to and communicating with the interior valve
chamber. The valve assembly further includes a valve member having an
inlet path and an outlet path, adapted for rotation within the interior
valve chamber of the head member between a filter position wherein the
inlet path of the valve member is in communication with the inlet passage
of the head member and a bypass position wherein the inlet path of the
valve member is out of communication with the inlet passage of the head
member. The valve assembly further includes a seal member seated in an
upper surface of the valve member and positioned to seal against an
opposing surface of the interior valve chamber. The seal member sealingly
isolates untreated and treated fluid streams flowing through the inlet
and outlet paths of the valve member, respectively, when the valve member
is in the filter position, and sealingly isolates the inlet and outlet
passages of the head member from the atmosphere when the valve member is
in the bypass position to permit fluid to flow therebetween.