Manganese in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
Manganese is an inorganic contaminant that can be found in drinking water. The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for this contaminant is set at 50 μg/L. Keeping concentrations below this limit helps protect water quality.
Health Effects
Elevated manganese levels can cause aesthetic issues, including black staining on household fixtures and laundry. Exposure to high levels of this contaminant can also lead to neurological effects.
How Manganese Gets Into Tap Water
This contaminant enters the water supply from natural deposits in rock and soil. It can also be introduced into drinking water sources as a result of industrial discharge.
How to Remove Manganese From Your Water
Effective methods for removing manganese from water include oxidation followed by filtration, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis. Water treatment systems utilizing these technologies are commonly used to reduce the contaminant's concentration.
Should You Test Your Water?
You can check manganese levels in your area by reviewing your community's consumer confidence report or searching on WaterQ. If you use a private well, consider having your water tested by a certified laboratory. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the Manganese data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manganese dangerous in drinking water?
While lower levels are primarily an aesthetic concern causing black staining, high levels of manganese in drinking water can lead to neurological effects. Keeping levels below the MCL of 50 μg/L minimizes these risks.
How does Manganese get into tap water?
Manganese typically enters tap water from natural underground deposits or from industrial discharge into water sources.
How can I remove Manganese from my water?
Manganese can be removed from drinking water using oxidation/filtration, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis treatment systems.
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and WaterQ National Database. For more contaminants, visit our contaminant library.