What is Manganese?
Manganese occurs naturally in the environment and is also found in many foods in the diet (e.g. vegetables, tea). It also occurs naturally in some water sources and is removed during water treatment process. Manganese is an essential element and is required by mammals and birds for normal growth. Most divalent compounds are soluble in water, as is heptavalent permanganate. The most common tetravalent compound, Manganese Dioxide, is insoluble. Manganese is principally used in the manufacture of iron, steel and alloys. In the Drinking Water Regulations, it is defined as an Indicator parameter.
What is an exceedance for Manganese?
The limit designated in the EU drinking water directive for Manganese is 50µg/l. Therefore, any result above this level is an exceedance for manganese.
How can an exceedance for Manganese occur?
Manganese exceedances in a drinking water supply may point to pollution of the source water although some exceedances arise from naturally-occurring high levels at source.