Performance of iron removal plants on groundwater: field assessment in Central Uganda

Groundwater is often considered of better quality as a source of drinking water but in many locations, it contains iron and other impurities that make communities abandon some water sources. The abandonment of such water sources in effect reduces access to safe water coverage in rural areas as communities return to using unprotected sources. Uganda is one of the countries with high iron concentrations in groundwater but it remains the most important source of potable water. A study to assess the performance of Iron Removal Plants (IRP), involving field analysis of water samples for selected physicochemical parameters and interviews revealed that the performance of IRP is a function of efficacy of the treatment process and the water source management system. Further research will optimize the efficacy and increase the performance of the IRP improved U2 boreholes for rural areas in Uganda.