Norton Issues Water Alert For Elevated Manganese Levels

NORTON, MA — Elevated levels of manganese were detected in water coming from the town's well #1 during three sample periods this spring. The well is not connected to town's new water treatment facility that filters out manganese and iron.

The town issued an alert Monday morning that samples tested in April, May and June all were higher than the .30 per mg/L as recommended. In April and May, two samples tested better than .40, while in June they were elevated to greater than .50.

While manganese is needed for nutrition, long exposure to excess levels can cause adverse neurological effects.

The town said the well in question is in limited use and utilized due to system demands. It was not hooked up to the new facility based on its location.

Infant formula should be prepared with bottled water or made with water from an alternate source with manganese levels below the limit. The general public is able to continue using the water since short-term impacts are not considered serious.

Iron and manganese are natural elements found in groundwater and are acceptable in drinking water in very limited quantities.

More information on the impact of manganese in drinking water can be found here.

Those with questions are asked to contact the Norton Water Department at 508-285-0280 or ffournier@nortonmaus.com.