Industrial wastewater pollution, particularly due to heavy metals, poses significant environmental and health threats by contaminating water sources and disrupting ecosystems. The River Periyar, especially the Eloor-Edayar industrial belt, has been the subject of extensive pollution studies. It suffers from poor water quality, primarily due to high levels of heavy metals such as iron. Excess iron in water negatively impacts aquatic life and water usability, making its removal essential for environmental sustainability. This study investigates the use of brewed tea waste as an affordable and eco-friendly adsorbent for removing iron from surface water collected near the Edayar Bridge in the Periyar River. Tea waste is an abundant, biodegradable byproduct with excellent adsorption properties, which are enhanced through heating to facilitate metal binding. Key factors influencing the iron removal process, including the amount of adsorbent, temperature, contact time, and stirring time, are explored to optimize the efficiency of tea waste as an adsorbent. The effectiveness of tea waste is analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to examine surface morphology before and after iron adsorption. A UV–Vis spectrophotometer is also used to measure absorbance and quantify the iron concentration in treated water. The results confirm that tea waste is a sustainable, cost-effective solution for removing iron from contaminated water. This research highlights the potential of tea waste as an alternative adsorbent, contributing to both waste management and environmental conservation.