New filter vs filter used for two months in private well system containing manganese/Photo by D. Webb
Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is present in some groundwater. It is considered a trace beneficial nutrient, and our bodies require small amounts of manganese to maintain health. Manganese is listed as a secondary contaminant by the USEPA because it is not considered a health risk. However, excessive amounts of manganese in drinking water may affect learning and behavior in infants and young children. To address this concern, USEPA has added manganese to the contaminant candidate list for regulatory determination.
Treatment techniques for manganese are similar to those used for the removal of iron. If you are concerned about manganese in your well water, it is recommended to have your well tested and consult with local agencies or experts for further guidance.
What are the effects of manganese in well water?
Brownish-black stains on plumbing fixtures and clothes when laundered.
Neurological problems: While low levels of manganese do not cause harm, high levels can lead to neurological problems, especially in children.
When should I test for manganese?
According to USEPA, manganese levels exceeding 0.05 milligrams per liter (mg/L) can cause nuisance staining. Many states mandate the removal of manganese from public water supplies if levels are high. For instance, Illinois has set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for manganese at 0.15 mg/L. It's advisable to consult your local health department for specific guidelines on manganese levels in your area.
To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?" , that includes manganese. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing, like manganese, and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
What treatment should I use if there’s manganese in my well water?
Once you test and have decided to treat your water to remove manganese, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for many common constituent in well water. The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove manganese by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I get more information about manganese in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional - we would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – they may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – the contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high iron, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue .
Research online – you should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there may be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs”, “my state groundwater quality”, or “my state well water quality”.
Contact us directly – if these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (free service funded by USEPA).
Additional Resources
Well Owner's Handbook, Environmental Health Division, Minnesota Department of Health.
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