There are several concerns in any treatment system that must be considered before final treatment can take place. The two largest and most common concerns are iron in the water and particles that can clog or foul a system. Media filtration, also commonly known as dual-media filtration, can alleviate both of those concerns.

The two media in a media filtration assembly are manganese greensand and anthracite. The manganese greensand acts as a form of chemical treatment that, when in contact with soluble iron in water, reduced the iron from the soluble form to an insoluble form that will precipitate out of solution. The anthracite then can filter both the precipitated iron out of the solution as well as other entrained particles that have entered the water source.

This combination of anthracite and manganese greensand together can remove a majority of particles greater than 10 microns in size. In addition, the filter can be backwashed to remove the entrained particles and iron in order to extend bed life. The manganese will eventually be exhausted and will also need to be regenerated, something which most systems are equipped to do.