Manganese in Water: Causes, Concerns, and Solutions
AI Summary
- Homeowners with private wells must test and maintain their water supply to ensure safety, as well water can be contaminated by elements like manganese.
- Manganese, while essential in small amounts, can cause health issues, especially in children, and lead to water discoloration, metallic taste, and sediment.
- Though not regulated in private wells, the EPA suggests a manganese limit of 0.05 mg/L for aesthetic reasons, but homeowners should test their water to manage contaminants.
- Effective filtration systems, like Kind Water’s Whole House Iron Filter, can remove manganese and other impurities, ensuring clean and safe water throughout the home.
Homeowners with private wells are responsible for testing, treating, and maintaining their water supply. While well water can be a safe, reliable source of hydration, it is susceptible to a variety of contaminants. One of the most common well water impurities is manganese. Though essential for human health in small amounts, manganese can pose several aesthetic, functional, and even health-related problems when present in excessive amounts. If you rely on a private well for water, it’s crucial to understand contaminants like manganese in well water, including risks and reduction methods to ensure your water remains safe and palatable.
What Is Manganese?
Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral prevalent in rocks, soil, groundwater, surface water, and food. This element is more common in groundwater, which wells draw from, than surface water due to natural leaching from surrounding rocks and soil. It plays a vital role in normal human development as well as improved bone strength, digestion, and immune system function. Most exposure to manganese occurs through ingestion, either through consuming foods or drinking water with manganese.
Health Risks Associated with Manganese
Manganese is considered one of the least toxic elements when ingested but excessive exposure may pose health risks, especially for certain vulnerable populations. Children in particular are considered the most at-risk. Studies have suggested surplus manganese contributes to behavioral and developmental disorders in children. Intellectual impairment, cognitive effects, and neurobehavioral issues like ADHD (inattentive type) are among the top concerns for children.
Signs of Manganese in Well Water
Several telltale signs indicate the presence of manganese in your water, including:
- Discoloration and staining: Manganese can cause a brownish-red or orangey-brown tint in water. In extreme cases, water may look black. Plumbing fixtures, laundry, and other surfaces that come into contact with well water may also be stained in these hues.
- Taste and odor: Manganese is known for causing a metallic or bitter taste and smell in water.
- Sediment: Black gunk in sink drains or black sediment in well water is likely due to high levels of manganese.
Is Manganese In Drinking Water Regulated?
While private wells are not subject to water regulations, manganese in drinking water is not regulated in even municipal water supplies. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established Secondary Maximum Containment Level (SCML) standards for manganese at 0.05 mg/L. However, this recommended limit is not enforceable and is primarily designed to address aesthetic concerns such as water taste, odor, and staining. Each state sets its own recommendations, though these are often higher than federal suggestions. Ultimately, homeowners must determine what contaminants are present in their well water and handle them accordingly. The only way to accurately assess your water is to conduct a well water test through a certified laboratory. Kind Water offers a water test and survey kit that makes it easy to collect and send in your sample. Certified lab test results are available three or four business days after your sample is sent in. Then, our filtration experts will work with you to find a customized solution that addresses the impurities identified in your well water. Buy a Water Test and Survey from Kind Water
Smart Metered Chem-Free Iron, Manganese, and Sulfur Filter
How to Filter Manganese From Water
For households dealing with manganese in well water, an Air Injection Oxidation (AIO) filter is an effective solution. This kind of filter works by oxidizing dissolved manganese particles, converting them into a solid, particulate form which can then be captured by filter media. Kind Water’s Whole House Iron Filter with Backwashing Carbon Filter offers four stages of filtration in a single system that delivers higher-quality water throughout your entire home. Here’s how it works: Stage 1: Pre-filtration Our 100-micron spin-down filter captures larger sediment particles and other debris which can easily be flushed from the system without disassembly by opening the valve. Stage 2: Sediment Filter Using a 5-micron quilted/pleated sediment filter, our system significantly reduces dirt, sand, silt, clay, rust, and other small solid particulates. This filter can be washed several times before replacement, helping save on replacement filter costs. Stage 3: AIO Filter The Smart View Metered AIO Iron Filter is a must for well owners with iron, manganese, or sulfur. This automated filter, controlled by our Smart Meter, removes up to 7 ppm of iron and 1 ppm of manganese. It also uses a control valve to backwash and clean the system regularly. Stage 4: Carbon Filter Using a premium carbon filter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, and hundreds of other contaminants that cause water to smell or taste foul are drastically reduced. Learn More About Kind Water’s Whole House Iron Filter with Backwashing Carbon Filter