Manganese is an essential nutrient found naturally in the environment. It can be present in:
Manganese gets into drinking water sources when water dissolves minerals that contain manganese. It can also enter drinking water sources through human activity, such as:
Note: Manganese will not enter the body through the skin or by breathing in vapours while showering or bathing. Bathing and showering in water that contains levels of manganese above the guideline value is considered safe.
Although humans need to consume small amounts of manganese to be healthy, too much manganese in drinking water can lead to adverse health effects.
Drinking water that contains high levels of manganese can be a health risk to infants.
Formula-fed infants may be at risk for neurological effects if the water used to prepare their formula contains excess manganese. This is because:
For adults and older children, short-term exposure to manganese in drinking water slightly above the guideline is unlikely to cause negative health effects.
Although the Province of Ontario does not have a health-based drinking water quality standard for manganese, it does have an aesthetic objective of 0.05 mg/L (50 µg/l) for manganese. The aesthetic objective is meant to prevent staining of fixture units (e.g. sinks, toilets, etc.) as well as taste issues.
Health Canada’s maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total manganese in drinking water is 0.12 mg/L (120 µg/L), this is a health-based value intended to protect infants, the most sensitive population. This value is also protective for children and adults.
There are two categories of treatment units that can reduce manganese in water in your home:
Make sure that any treatment unit you use is:
Options can be explored with professionals specialized in water treatment to choose the right treatment system that best fits your needs.
Health Canada. Water Talk – Manganese in drinking water, 2023.