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RO vs UF: Which Water Purification System Should You Buy in Kenya?
Quick answer: Choose RO if your water is salty, hard or high in fluoride (typical borehole water): RO removes dissolved salts. Choose UF if you have low-salt municipal water: UF removes bacteria, cloudiness and particles, keeps the minerals and wastes almost no water.
Key facts
- RO removes dissolved salts, fluoride and most contaminants; UF does not remove dissolved salts
- RO produces a reject stream; UF wastes very little water
- Borehole water → usually RO; municipal water → often UF
- Add UV after either for extra disinfection
RO vs UF at a glance
| RO (reverse osmosis) | UF (ultrafiltration) | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes dissolved salts / TDS | Yes | No |
| Removes fluoride | Yes | No |
| Removes bacteria and cloudiness | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps natural minerals | Removes most | Keeps them |
| Water wasted | Reject stream | Very little |
| Best for | Borehole, salty or fluoride water | Low-salt municipal water |
For a water refilling station
Municipal water with low TDS: a municipal UF 3-in-1 station is simpler and cheaper to run. Borehole water: an RO vending station. Full guide: starting a water refilling business.
For homes and offices
H-TECH home and office purifiers:
20Lph DOMESTIC WATER PURIFIERKSh 35,000
80ltrs/hr DOMESTIC WATER PURIFIERKSh 100,000
UF Under Counter System (5 Stage)KSh 17,000
RO Under counter system, without booster pumpKSh 30,000
RO Under counter system, with booster pumpKSh 35,000
7 stage Domestic water purifierKSh 42,000| Model | Size / capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 20Lph DOMESTIC WATER PURIFIER | 20 LPH | KSh 35,000 |
| 80ltrs/hr DOMESTIC WATER PURIFIER | 80 L | KSh 100,000 |
| UF Under Counter System (5 Stage) | – | KSh 17,000 |
| RO Under counter system, without booster pump | – | KSh 30,000 |
| RO Under counter system, with booster pump | – | KSh 35,000 |
| 7 stage Domestic water purifier | – | KSh 42,000 |
| RO-400G-D02B 5-Stage RO System | – | KSh 98,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 29 September 2026). Full range: RO water purifiers price list.
How to decide
- Test the water TDS (a TDS meter gives a quick reading; a lab test is best).
- If TDS, fluoride or salt is high: RO.
- If TDS is already low and the concern is bacteria or cloudiness: UF.
Frequently asked questions
Is RO water safe to drink?
Yes. RO removes most contaminants; some systems add a mineral stage for taste.
Does UF remove fluoride?
No. UF does not remove dissolved substances such as fluoride or salt; use RO for fluoride.
Which is cheaper to run, RO or UF?
UF is usually cheaper: little water waste and fewer consumables. RO needs membrane care and produces reject water.
Can I combine RO and UF?
Yes. Some plants use UF as pre-treatment before RO to protect the membranes.