Managing Manganese at Home
What is Manganese: Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in rocks and soil and is usually present in Minnesota ground and surface water. Your body needs some manganese to stay healthy but too much can be harmful. Elevated levels of Manganese can pose a health risk to sensitive populations. The city has 2 wells that are tested for manganese, and both have tested above the MDH health advisory guideline of 300 parts per billion (ppb).  Manganese concentration in the City of Mound source water ranges from 470 ppb to 750 ppb.  Learn more by visiting the MDH webpage for manganese. 
Minnesota Department of Health Guidelines for Manganese:
Manganese is an unregulated compound in well sourced water and does not have an enforceable standard. However, the MDH recommended health guidelines include consideration of the following:

• If you have an infant who drinks tap water or drinks formula made with tap water, a safe level of manganese in your water is 100 ppb of manganese or less
• The safe level for consumption for anyone over the age of 12 months who drinks tap water is 300 ppb of manganese or less 

There are several things residents can do to reduce manganese levels in the water while the City works toward a solution:

• Ensure that the filter in your refrigerator water dispenser replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended intervals
• Purchase a water filter pitcher, a filtering unit to attach to your faucet, or whole home filtering system. These systems require the filter media replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended intervals
• Working with a residential water treatment company, to install a point of use water system certified for manganese removal
• Purchase bottled water for consumption that is labeled “purified” for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula.
• More information is available from the Minnesota Department of Health about Home Water Treatment