A fuel filter system that does not require the periodic draining of a water sump. The system includes a fuel tank for storing fuel and a fuel filter fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for separating water from the fuel. A fuel pump has a suction side and a high pressure side. The high pressure side of the fuel pump is fluidly coupled to the fuel filter for pumping fuel to the fuel filter. A water emulsifier, such as an orifice, is fluidly coupled to the fuel filter to receive water and fuel from the fuel filter and form a water-fuel emulsion. The water-fuel emulsion is supplied to any point in the system on the suction side of the fuel pump, such that the water-fuel emulsion passes through the fuel pump and fuel filter.