Manganese

Managing Manganese

manganese beaker

 

Manganese (Mn) is receiving increasing interest as a contaminant of concern in drinking water. It presents both health and aesthetic concerns at different concentrations. Although Mn is an essential nutrient, at higher concentrations it can have neurotoxic effects. At lower concentrations, it can discolor water and cause staining. Mn in water does not have a noticeable taste. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Why is manganese of interest?

Manganese is an essential nutrient, but it can cause adverse cognitive and neurological effects, particularly in children, if consumed at too high of a concentration. It can also affect the aesthetic quality of drinking water, causing staining and discoloration. Manganese is present in both groundwaters and surface waters and is widely geographically distributed, so water systems across the U.S. should be aware of manganese and proactively manage it. It can accumulate in pipes in the distribution system over time, so systems likely need to manage manganese even after installing treatment to remove it.

 


What is its regulatory status?

  • Health Canada - Maximum acceptable concentration of 0.12 mg/L and aesthetic object of 0.02 mg/L.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Non-enforceable health advisory level of 0.3 mg/L for infants and 1.0 mg/L for the general population, and a non-enforceable secondary maximum contaminant level of 0.05 mg/L.

 In the U.S., manganese was monitored from 2018-2020 as part of UCMR 4 and now is listed on the draft CCL 5 for potential regulation.


How can water systems manage manganese?

Managing manganese in drinking water can take place in the source water, at the treatment plant, and in the distribution system. For reservoirs, adjusting the intake level and adding mixing can lower the manganese concentration entering the plant. Primary treatment strategies for removing manganese at the plant are oxidation and particle separation, sorption to filter media, adsorptive contactor, and biological treatment. Manganese can slowly accumulate over time in the distribution system and deposits are more difficult to remove than iron, so more aggressive cleaning techniques like ice pigging or foam swabbing may be needed to remove manganese films.

AWWA Manuals of Practice

M68 Water Quality in Distribution Systems

AWWA Standards

ANSI/AWWA B102 Manganese Greensand for Filters

AWWA Journal

Full-Scale Implementation of Second-Stage Contactors for Manganese Removal - Arianne A. Bazilio, Gary S. Kaminski, Yesher Larsen, Xuyen Mai, John E. Tobiason

Manganese: What Goes Around Comes Around - Ali Leeds, Kim DeFolo 

Give Inorganic Contaminants the Respect They Deserve - Phil Brandhuber

Adsorptive contractors for removal of soluble manganese during drinking water treatment - William R. Knocke, Lauren Zuravnsky, John C. Little, John E. Tobiason

AWWA Opflow

Beware of Legacy Manganese Issues in Distribution Systems - Andrew S. Hill, France Lemieux

Evaluate and Optimize Manganese Treatment - Roger Arnold, Martin R. Earle, Ronit Erlitzki, William Knocke

Know The Benefits of Effective Manganese Management Strategies - Roger B. Arnold, Asher E. Keithley, Andrea Cherry, Kay Coffey, Jane Macaulay

AWWA Webinars

Managing Iron and Manganese in Small Systems - New Insights on an Old Problem

Water Quality and Technology Conference

Water professionals around the world attend the Water Quality Technology Conference & Exposition, the event of the year for providing answers to improve water quality in a continually changing environment. Plan now to attend this important event featuring an unparalleled technical program, extensive networking opportunities, and the latest innovations in water quality technology and services.

 

AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition 

AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition is where the most current industry topics, issues, and trends will be discussed. The professional program features subject matter experts covering a range of key water topics to address your challenges.

AWWA Policy Statements

AWWA's policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA's position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors.

Drinking Water Quality

Technical Committee Engagement

AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face to face meetings at conferences and events. Access more information on volunteering for an AWWA committee.

The following committees are active in addressing issues about inorganic contaminants: