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How to Treat Iron and Manganese in Borehole Water

Herritech engineering teamUpdated 2 October 20264 min read

How to Treat Iron and Manganese in Borehole Water
Pictured: FRP filter vessels (left) and an automatic control valve (right).
Quick answer: Iron and manganese dissolve in groundwater and turn brown or black when they meet air, staining sinks, clothes and tanks. The standard fix is to oxidise the iron (by aeration or chlorine dosing) and then filter it out in a pressure (FRP) media filter that backwashes itself. RO can remove iron, but iron fouls RO membranes, so it should be removed before the RO.
Key facts
  • Brown water, orange stains, metallic taste = iron
  • Black stains = manganese
  • Oxidise (air or chlorine) → filter → backwash
  • Remove iron before RO or softeners to protect them
On this page
  1. Signs of Iron and Manganese in Water
  2. How Do Iron Filters Work?
  3. Filter Vessels and Control Valves
  4. Chlorine Dosing for Iron Oxidation
  5. Does RO or a Water Softener Remove Iron?
  6. How Long Does an Iron Filter Last?
  7. Frequently asked questions

Signs of Iron and Manganese in Water

SignLikely cause
Clear from the tap, turns brown when it standsDissolved iron oxidising in air
Orange or brown stains on sinks, toilets and clothesIron
Black stains or black specksManganese
Metallic taste; tea turns darkIron

Confirm with a laboratory test before buying equipment: see how to read a water test report.

How Do Iron Filters Work?

  1. Oxidation: air (aeration) or a small chlorine dose turns dissolved iron into solid particles.
  2. Filtration: water passes through a bed of filter media in a pressure vessel, which traps the particles.
  3. Backwash: the control valve reverses the flow regularly to flush the trapped iron to drain.

Filter Vessels and Control Valves

817 FRP Tanks and PP Filters price in Kenya817 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 9,200820 FRP Tanks and PP Filters price in Kenya820 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 9,800835 FRP Tanks and PP Filters price in Kenya835 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 11,600844 FRP Tanks and PP Filters price in Kenya844 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 12,800935 FRP Tanks and PP Filters price in Kenya935 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 13,300948 FRP Tanks and PP Filters price in Kenya948 FRP Tanks and PP FiltersKSh 13,500
ModelSize / capacityPrice
817 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 9,200
820 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 9,800
835 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 11,600
844 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 12,800
935 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 13,300
948 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 13,500
820 frp pressure vessel–KSh 14,000
1035 FRP Tanks and PP Filters–KSh 14,200

Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 2 October 2026). Full range: FRP tanks & filters price list.

Automatic and manual control valves for media filters and softeners:

Control valve modelPrice
F56E1KSh 2,450
F56A1KSh 3,500
F56F1KSh 4,350
F56D1KSh 17,400
F77BSKSh 43,500
F78BSKSh 159,500
F64B1KSh 3,750
F64A1KSh 5,500
F64D1KSh 18,800
F77ASKSh 47,800
F78ASKSh 159,500
F71B1KSh 17,400
F67C1KSh 21,800
F75A1KSh 53,600
F77B1KSh 121,800
F78B1KSh 243,600
F95B1KSh 133,400
F95B3KSh 137,800
F65B1KSh 17,400
F65B3KSh 18,800
F63C1KSh 20,300
F63C3KSh 23,200
F92A3KSh 30,400
F74A1KSh 52,200
F74A3KSh 58,000
F77A1KSh 121,800
F77A3KSh 124,700

Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 2 October 2026). Order: H-TECH Control Valves and Solenoid Range.

Chlorine Dosing for Iron Oxidation

H-TECH chemical dosing pumps:

Dosing pump outputPrice
1 LPHKSh 23,000
2 LPHKSh 23,000
3 LPHKSh 23,000
5 LPHKSh 23,000
6 LPHKSh 23,000
10 LPHKSh 28,200
15 LPHKSh 28,200

Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 2 October 2026). Order: H-TECH Chemical Dosing Pump Range.

See chemical dosing pumps.

Does RO or a Water Softener Remove Iron?

Both can remove small amounts, but iron fouls RO membranes and softener resin and shortens their life. Put the iron filter first, then the softener or RO. See do I need a water softener?

How Long Does an Iron Filter Last?

The vessel lasts many years; the media wears out over time depending on the iron level and how well it is backwashed. Check the backwash schedule and pressure regularly.

Watch: RO purifiers and water ATMs

Water ATM, bottle rinser and RO water purifierVideo · 1:16 · Herritech Ventures on YouTube
H-TECH 500 LPH 3-in-1 RO vending machineVideo · 0:23 · Herritech Ventures on YouTube
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Frequently asked questions

How do you treat iron in borehole water?

Oxidise the iron with aeration or chlorine, filter it in a backwashing media filter, then treat further (softener or RO) if needed.

Why does my borehole water turn brown?

Dissolved iron oxidises when it meets air and turns into brown particles.

Does RO remove iron from water?

It can, but iron fouls RO membranes; remove iron before the RO.

How does an iron filter regenerate?

Its control valve backwashes the media, flushing trapped iron to drain.

Does an iron filter reduce TDS?

No. It removes iron particles; to reduce dissolved salts (TDS) you need RO.

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