Part of the Water Wisdom Series for Home Inspectors by: Scott J. Bradley Aquacheck Laboratory, Inc. www.Aquacheck-VT.com 1-800-263-9596

Manganese: Symbol - Mn Sources: Manganese can be found in drinking water as a naturally occurring element (metal) and is often times, but not always found where iron is located. The USEPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has adopted a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) for Manganese in drinking water at, 0.05 mg/l (zero point zero five parts per million). A secondary contaminant causes aesthetic problems with the water, like odors, or in the case of Manganese, staining. manganese ore : India Trade India Trade Company

Sources: Manganese can be found in drinking water as a naturally occurring element (metal) and is often times, but not always found where iron is located.

The USEPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has adopted a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) for Manganese in drinking water at, 0.05 mg/l (zero point zero five parts per million).

A secondary contaminant causes aesthetic problems with the water, like odors, or in the case of Manganese, staining.

manganese ore : India Trade India Trade Company

Manganese in Drinking Water Manganese is an essential element for many living things. Certain aquatic plants, like duckweed, can bio- accumulate Manganese to many times it’s original concentration. Mn gives the gemstone, Amethyst, it’s beautiful purple color. If it comes in contact with oxygen, it then turns black. That’s when it can become a problem!

Manganese is an essential element for many living things. Certain aquatic plants, like duckweed, can bio- accumulate Manganese to many times it’s original concentration.

Mn gives the gemstone, Amethyst,

it’s beautiful purple color.

If it comes in contact with

oxygen, it then turns black.

That’s when it can become

a problem!

Home Inspectors & Manganese Problems Now you know that Manganese can cause black staining – usually in porcelain fixtures like the back of toilet bowls and tanks. It may also build up and cause obstruction of water in a distribution pipe, called biofouling. If you are a Home Inspector and sampling for Coliform Bacteria in a home with non chlorinated water, too much manganese can cause a positive interference in the chlorine (DPD) test.

Now you know that Manganese can cause black staining – usually in porcelain fixtures like the back of toilet bowls and tanks.

It may also build up and cause obstruction of water in a distribution pipe, called biofouling.

If you are a Home Inspector and sampling for Coliform Bacteria in a home with non chlorinated water, too much manganese can cause a positive interference in the chlorine (DPD) test.

Home Inspector to Client: Don’t forget to tell someone if their manganese is high, SMCL = 0.05 mg/L), that adding chlorine based bleach to the laundry can precipitate the Mn out of solution and cause significant staining. There are filters available to take out manganese. Also, an ion exchange (water softener) can be used as well as an R.O., or reverse osmosis machine. I go to the NSF to find out about filters and filtration products.

Don’t forget to tell someone if their manganese is high,

SMCL = 0.05 mg/L), that adding chlorine based bleach to the laundry can precipitate the Mn out of solution and cause significant staining.

There are filters available to take out manganese. Also, an ion exchange (water softener) can

be used as well as an R.O., or

reverse osmosis machine.

I go to the NSF to find out about

filters and filtration products.

Home Inspector - Questions? This has been a courtesy learning tool brought to you by: Scott J. Bradley –Aquacheck Laboratory, Inc. Want to Learn more? For Testing Kits and Info, Go to: www.Aquacheck-VT.com 1-800-263-9596 Email: [email_address]

This has been a courtesy learning tool brought to you by: Scott J. Bradley –Aquacheck Laboratory, Inc.

Want to Learn more?

For Testing Kits and Info, Go to:

www.Aquacheck-VT.com

1-800-263-9596

Email: [email_address]