Is There Manganese in New Haven, CT Water? (ZIP 06513)

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.

Manganese matters most for infants — excess manganese is a recognized neurodevelopmental concern for infants. The safe level for these groups is stricter than for a healthy adult.

• Install a whole-house oxidizing filter using manganese greensand, birm, or catalytic media, which oxidizes dissolved manganese and filters the resulting particles.

• Use an oxidation step such as chlorine injection, potassium permanganate feed, or aeration followed by a sediment filter to convert dissolved manganese to insoluble particles.

• For 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.

• Test your well water for both manganese and iron, as they often co-occur and the treatment approach may differ depending on the ratio.

How New Haven compares

Across Connecticut, Manganese is detected in 60 of the communities we track, and is above a limit or standard in 58. In New Haven (06513), it was found in every sample tested, above the secondary standard in 18% of samples.

Other contaminants of concern in New Haven (06513)

See the full New Haven water quality report →