Manganese in Connecticut Drinking Water
Manganese has been detected in water systems serving 3,845 ZIP codes nationwide. Here is what you need to know about manganese in your drinking water and how it may affect your household.
What Is Manganese?
Manganese is a naturally occurring metal found in rock, soil, and sediment that dissolves into groundwater, particularly in low-oxygen conditions. It is common in well water throughout New England. The EPA health advisory level is 300 micrograms per liter. At elevated concentrations, manganese causes neurological effects, and children are especially susceptible to cognitive and behavioral impacts.
Is Manganese in Your Water?
Enter your Connecticut ZIP code to find out if manganese is in your local water — and see personalized health risks for your household.
Check Your ZIP CodeHealth Effects of Manganese
Harm to the brain and nervous system; change in behavior
Safety Guidelines
Health Guideline
50 ppb
Source: EPA_Secondary_MCL
Legal Limit (MCL)
50 ppb
EPA Maximum Contaminant Level
Where Does Manganese Come From?
Erosion of natural deposits; industrial discharge; mining waste. Commonly found in groundwater.
How to Reduce Manganese in Your Water
- 1Install a whole-house oxidizing filter using manganese greensand, birm, or catalytic media, which oxidizes dissolved manganese and filters the resulting particles.
- 2Use an oxidation step such as chlorine injection, potassium permanganate feed, or aeration followed by a sediment filter to convert dissolved manganese to insoluble particles.
- 3For drinking water only, install a point-of-use reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58, which removes dissolved manganese effectively at the kitchen tap.
- 4Test your well water for both manganese and iron, as they often co-occur and the treatment approach may differ depending on the ratio.
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Manganese?
The safe level of manganese varies significantly depending on who is drinking the water. CheckYourTap calculates adjusted safe levels for each member of your household:
A contaminant level that is safe for an adult may exceed guidelines for an infant by 4-8x or more. Check your ZIP code to see personalized results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manganese in my tap water?▾
What level of Manganese is safe?▾
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About This Report
This water quality report is compiled from public records filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state health departments, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Contaminant levels are evaluated against EPA federal standards and health-based guidelines from leading environmental and public health organizations. CheckYourTap is a service of Valiant Energy Solutions, a Connecticut water quality and energy services company established in 1930.
Last updated March 2026