A rotary drum filter includes a drum shell configured to rotate through a slurry, the drum shell having areas defining a plurality of drainage holes, at least one divider plate a first end and a second end, the at least one divider plate disposed on an outer surface of the drum shell and extending longitudinally and laterally along the drum shell, the first end being disposed near a drainage hole, and a filter medium disposed on one or more grids that are disposed on the outer surface of the drum shell above the at least one divider plate. The at least one divider plate is configured to direct filtrate on the outer surface of the drum shell filtered through the filter medium into the drainage hole.