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Borehole Water Treatment in Kenya: How to Remove Fluoride, Iron, Salt and Hardness
Quick answer: Test the borehole water first, then treat what the test finds: RO removes salt (high TDS) and fluoride; iron-removal media filters remove iron and the brown staining; softeners remove hardness (scale); and UV disinfects. Most boreholes need a sediment filter first.
Key facts
- Always test: TDS, fluoride, iron, hardness, bacteria
- Fluoride above the 1.5 mg/L drinking-water guideline needs RO (or a dedicated defluoridation system)
- Iron: oxidation + media filter in an FRP vessel
- Hardness: softener; salty water: RO
Match the problem to the treatment
| Problem | Signs | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| High TDS / salty water | Salty taste, high TDS reading | Reverse osmosis (RO systems) |
| Fluoride | Brown teeth stains in the area; lab result above 1.5 mg/L | RO |
| Iron and manganese | Brown or orange stains, metallic taste | Oxidation + media filter (FRP media filters) |
| Hardness | White scale on kettles and geysers, soap does not lather | Water softener (softeners) |
| Sand and silt | Cloudy water, blocked taps | Sediment filter |
| Bacteria | Positive lab test | UV sterilizer / chlorination |
A typical borehole treatment train
- Sediment filter
- Iron filter or softener (if the test shows iron or hardness)
- Carbon filter
- RO (if TDS or fluoride is high)
- UV before the storage tank or tap
RO system prices
H-TECH RO systems, from homes to industry:
20Lph DOMESTIC WATER PURIFIERKSh 35,000
80ltrs/hr DOMESTIC WATER PURIFIERKSh 100,000
250LTR/HR WATER PURIFIERKSh 180,000
RO Machine 250lph (1 Membrane System)KSh 290,000
Htech 250LPH RO PURIFIERKSh 290,000
Htech 500lph Ro water purifierKSh 380,000Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 29 September 2026). Full range: RO water purifiers price list.
Before you buy
- Take a water sample to an accredited laboratory and share the report with us.
- Know your daily litres and peak flow.
- Plan for pre-filter changes and RO membrane care.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove fluoride from borehole water?
Reverse osmosis removes most fluoride. Test first; the drinking-water guideline is 1.5 mg/L.
How do I remove iron from borehole water?
Oxidise the iron and filter it through a media filter in an FRP vessel, before any RO or softener.
Can RO treat all borehole water?
RO removes dissolved salts and fluoride but needs pre-filtration and sometimes softening or iron removal first to protect the membrane.
How much does borehole water treatment cost?
It depends on the problems and daily volume. H-TECH RO systems range from KSh 17,000 to KSh 12,000,000; softeners and iron filters are extra where needed.