Montrose, Minnesota, found elevated levels of manganese in its drinking water during routine water testing, according to Fox 9 News.
City officials put out a notice to its residents saying that its drinking water supply, which serves more than 3,200 residents, tested above the Department of Health’s (DOH) guidelines of 300 parts per billion (ppb) of manganese, reported Fox 9 News.
“Children and adults who drink water with high levels of manganese for a long time may have problems with memory, attention, and motor skills,” said the Minnesota DOH. “Infants (babies under one year old) may develop learning and behavior problems if they drink water with too much manganese in it.”
As a result, the city is working with consultants and the state to determine how to reduce the manganese levels. Additional testing will be conducted and the city is working to inform residents by scheduling an open house to address questions and concerns.
The city recommends Montrose residents doing the following:
- Purchase a water filter pitcher or a filtering unit to attach to faucets. These filters must be certified to remove manganese.
- Working with a residential water treatment company such as Culligan, to install a point of use water system certified for manganese removal.
- Purchase bottled water for consumption if you do not have a home water treatment device that removes or reduces manganese.
According to the Minnesota DOH, private well owners are responsible for having their wells tested and can do so by visiting the state’s website and searching for the Owner’s Guide to Wells.
