Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and air. It is commonly found in the food we eat, including nuts, legumes, seeds, grains, and green leafy vegetables and in drinking water. Our bodies require small amounts of manganese to stay healthy. Adults and children get enough manganese from the foods we eat. Infants and children get enough manganese from breast milk, food, or formula.

Too much manganese can increase the risk of health problems, particularly for infants under 6 months old. Infants are more at risk than older children and adults because their brains and bodies are quickly developing. Formula-fed infants get enough manganese from formula to meet their dietary needs. However, they may get too much manganese (above the recommended amount for nutrition) in their bodies when formula is mixed with water that contains manganese.

Infants exposed to manganese over 0.3 mg/L may experience learning or behavioral problems. Adults drinking water with high levels of manganese for many years may experience impacts to their nervous system. EPA established a lifetime health advisory level of 0.3 mg/L which means adverse health effects are not expected below this level. This health advisory is being provided because EPA identified health risks from short-term exposure.

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What should I do? DO NOT GIVE TAP WATER TO INFANTS. Formula and other food preparations for infants under 6 months old should not be prepared with tap water. Use bottled water or alternative sources of water for infants. Making formula or foods with water containing manganese levels above the health advisory can increase an infant’s risk of health problems.

DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce manganese. Boiling can increase levels of manganese because manganese remains behind when the water evaporates.

Adults and children of all ages can continue to bathe and shower, brush their teeth, and wash clothes, food, and dishes in tap water.

What happened? What is being done? Due to a recent personnel change, Greenfield Municipal Utilities has been hired to help with the City of Massena water system. Several areas of concern have been identified and are in the process of being corrected at this time. Greenfield Municipal Utilities is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to correct the areas of concern as quickly as safely possible. You will be notified when the manganese levels are again below the health advisory level. For more information, please contact Dawn at 712-779-2295 or PO Box 109, Massena, IA 50853

*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*