Manganese Contamination

Manganese in Alabama Drinking Water

Ranked by max manganese detected (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

103

Cities Tested

Over SMCL

11%

% Over SMCL

27.0 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 7% vs national

vs National

250

Health Violations

Analysis

Manganese in Alabama: what the data shows

Alabama has 103 cities with manganese data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Manganese exceeded the 50 µg/L EPA secondary MCL in 11 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 27.0 µg/L. Manganese occurs naturally in groundwater and surface water. Elevated levels are common in areas with iron-rich geology and in systems that draw from reservoirs with low dissolved oxygen. The secondary MCL of 50 µg/L is based on aesthetic concerns (taste, staining), but health-based guidelines suggest neurological effects at higher concentrations. Emerging research links chronic manganese exposure in drinking water to neurodevelopmental effects in children, including reduced IQ and behavioral issues. Oxidation filtration and water softeners are effective at removing manganese from household water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 50 µg/L EPA Secondary MCL

Alabama

11%

11 of 103 cities

← ▼ 7% below national rate (better)

National avg

18%

729 of 4068 cities

City Map

Manganese data across Alabama

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 manganese testing data. Cities where manganese exceeds the 50 µg/L EPA secondary MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by manganese level in Alabama

Highest Manganese levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Alabama cities ranked by manganese level

#	City	Level	Over SMCL?	Violations	Grade
1	Bay Minette	341.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	D
2	Red Bay	290.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	B+
3	Guin	240.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	16	C-
4	Lafayette	130.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	5	A-
5	Theodore	110.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	5	C
6	Daphne	107.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	9	D
7	Elmore	102.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	A-
8	Somerville	66.8 µg/L	Over SMCL	6	A
9	Ozark	58.2 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	B
10	Fairhope	56.8 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	B
11	Atmore	53.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	2	B-
12	Livingston	48.9 µg/L	No	6	A-
13	Demopolis	48.9 µg/L	No	6	B+
14	Oxford	48.8 µg/L	No	2	B+
15	Millbrook	48.5 µg/L	No	0	B-
16	Tuscumbia	43.6 µg/L	No	11	D+
17	Carrollton	43.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
18	Citronelle	42.4 µg/L	No	2	D
19	Columbiana	41.5 µg/L	No	2	B
20	Uniontown	41.0 µg/L	No	1	A
21	Phenix City	38.1 µg/L	No	4	C+
22	Vinemont	37.5 µg/L	No	1	A
23	Dothan	37.4 µg/L	No	1	B
24	Foley	36.8 µg/L	No	4	B
25	Ashford	35.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
26	Alabaster	28.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
27	Montgomery	26.7 µg/L	No	1	A-
28	Loachapoka	25.4 µg/L	No	2	A-
29	Alexander City	24.4 µg/L	No	6	B+
30	Ider	24.0 µg/L	No	22	D+
31	Ft Mitchell	23.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
32	Andalusia	23.0 µg/L	No	3	C+
33	Pell City	22.1 µg/L	No	3	B+
34	Cullman	20.8 µg/L	No	3	B+
35	Enterprise	19.8 µg/L	No	5	B
36	Ft. Rucker	18.0 µg/L	No	1	A+
37	Abbeville	17.6 µg/L	No	2	D+
38	Guntersville	17.3 µg/L	No	1	B+
39	Sylacauga	16.8 µg/L	No	2	A-
40	Prattville	16.0 µg/L	No	7	F
41	Pelham	14.9 µg/L	No	2	A-
42	Hayneville	14.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
43	Oneonta	13.7 µg/L	No	3	A
44	Union Springs	13.0 µg/L	No	5	A
45	Huntsville	12.5 µg/L	No	0	C+
46	Tuskegee	11.9 µg/L	No	30	F
47	Valley	11.0 µg/L	No	1	B
48	Opelika	10.0 µg/L	No	8	B
49	Selma	9.3 µg/L	No	6	D+
50	Troy	8.8 µg/L	No	11	B
51	Athens	8.7 µg/L	No	7	B
52	Northport	8.4 µg/L	No	3	A-
53	Gulf Shores	8.2 µg/L	No	1	A
54	Fort Payne	8.0 µg/L	No	3	C+
55	Auburn	8.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
56	Grant	7.8 µg/L	No	3	A-
57	Saraland	7.4 µg/L	No	1	C-
58	Odenville	7.4 µg/L	No	0	B+
59	Calera	7.2 µg/L	No	0	A
60	Evergreen	6.5 µg/L	No	3	B-
61	Wetumpka	6.4 µg/L	No	1	A-
62	Redstone Arsenal	5.9 µg/L	No	24	B
63	Greenville	5.9 µg/L	No	13	C+
64	Boaz	5.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
65	Brookwood	5.0 µg/L	No	3	A
66	Hamilton	4.7 µg/L	No	2	A-
67	Birmingham	4.4 µg/L	No	1	A-
68	Mt Hope	4.1 µg/L	No	2	B+
69	Bessemer	4.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
70	Florence	4.0 µg/L	No	7	D
71	Thorsby	3.5 µg/L	No	0	A
72	Helena	3.5 µg/L	No	0	A
73	Haleyville	3.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
74	Tallapoosa County	3.3 µg/L	No	1	A+
75	New Brockton	3.3 µg/L	No	7	C+
76	Arab	3.2 µg/L	No	0	A+
77	Eufaula	3.2 µg/L	No	9	A-
78	Jasper	3.0 µg/L	No	9	B+
79	Anniston	3.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
80	Smiths	2.9 µg/L	No	0	B+
81	Alexandria	2.8 µg/L	No	1	A+
82	Southside	2.6 µg/L	No	0	B+
83	Tuscaloosa	2.4 µg/L	No	3	A-
84	Albertville	2.3 µg/L	No	0	B
85	Hartselle	2.3 µg/L	No	6	A
86	Clanton	2.3 µg/L	No	5	A-
87	Leeds	1.9 µg/L	No	3	A-
88	Decatur	1.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
89	Muscle Shoals	1.8 µg/L	No	4	A-
90	Brantley	1.7 µg/L	No	2	B+
91	Mobile	1.7 µg/L	No	2	A-
92	Prichard	1.6 µg/L	No	13	C+
93	Talladega	1.5 µg/L	No	5	C
94	Russellville	1.4 µg/L	No	1	B+
95	Hartford	1.2 µg/L	No	1	C-
96	Piedmont	1.1 µg/L	No	2	A
97	Snowdoun	0.9 µg/L	No	0	A
98	Scottsboro	0.8 µg/L	No	11	C+
99	Orange Beach	0.7 µg/L	No	1	C-
100	Rainsville	0.7 µg/L	No	3	B
101	Rainbow City	0.5 µg/L	No	1	A
102	Union Grove	0.5 µg/L	No	1	A-
103	Madison	0.4 µg/L	No	0	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about manganese in Alabama

Is manganese in Alabama tap water harmful?

The EPA secondary MCL for manganese is 50 µg/L, set primarily for aesthetic reasons (taste, color, staining). 11 cities in Alabama exceed the secondary MCL. However, emerging research links chronic manganese exposure above 50–100 µg/L to neurodevelopmental effects in children, including reduced IQ.

How can I remove manganese from my drinking water?

Oxidation filtration (such as greensand or birm filters) is the most common and effective method for removing manganese from well water. Water softeners using ion exchange also work well. Standard carbon filters provide limited manganese removal. If your water has a metallic taste or brown/black discoloration, manganese may be the cause.

What causes high manganese in Alabama water?

Manganese occurs naturally in groundwater and surface water, particularly in areas with iron-rich geology. Low dissolved oxygen conditions (common in deep wells and reservoir bottom waters) increase manganese solubility. Industrial sources include mining, steel production, and battery manufacturing. Seasonal changes in reservoir water chemistry can cause manganese spikes.

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