Manganese Contamination

Manganese in Kentucky Drinking Water

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

Cities Tested

Over SMCL

% Over SMCL

18.2 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 11% vs national

vs National

222

Health Violations

Analysis

Manganese in Kentucky: what the data shows

Kentucky has 85 cities with manganese data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Manganese exceeded the 50 µg/L EPA secondary MCL in 6 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 18.2 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

Kentucky

6 of 85 cities

← ▼ 11% below national rate (better)

National avg

18%

729 of 4068 cities

City Map

Manganese data across Kentucky

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 Kentucky

Highest Manganese levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Kentucky cities ranked by manganese level

#	City	Level	Over SMCL?	Violations	Grade
1	Campbellsburg	422.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	5	A-
2	Crittenden	223.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	9	A-
3	Pineville	109.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	14	C+
4	Somerset	91.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	4	B+
5	Lebanon	78.8 µg/L	Over SMCL	11	A-
6	Brownsville	76.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	26	D+
7	Russell Springs	45.0 µg/L	No	10	B+
8	Richmond	35.0 µg/L	No	11	B
9	Bagdad	28.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
10	Grayson	27.1 µg/L	No	26	B-
11	Springfield	24.0 µg/L	No	6	A
12	Lexington	23.0 µg/L	No	31	B
13	Catlettsburg	21.0 µg/L	No	24	C-
14	Frenchburg	20.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
15	Flemingsburg	18.0 µg/L	No	13	B+
16	Paducah	17.1 µg/L	No	4	A-
17	Buckner	16.8 µg/L	No	3	A
18	Scottsville	13.1 µg/L	No	5	B+
19	Science Hill	13.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
20	Ft. Thomas	12.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
21	Falmouth	12.0 µg/L	No	19	C+
22	Russell	12.0 µg/L	No	18	A-
23	Campbellsville	11.0 µg/L	No	25	B
24	Bowling Green	9.7 µg/L	No	16	B
25	Cynthiana	9.7 µg/L	No	29	C+
26	Corbin	9.6 µg/L	No	9	B
27	Monticello	9.3 µg/L	No	7	A-
28	Mckee	9.2 µg/L	No	60	B-
29	Paris	9.1 µg/L	No	39	C+
30	Mcdoqwell	8.9 µg/L	No	26	C+
31	Maysville	8.5 µg/L	No	8	B-
32	Liberty	6.6 µg/L	No	32	C+
33	Pikeville	6.0 µg/L	No	79	D
34	Radcliff	5.7 µg/L	No	1	A-
35	Hartford	5.7 µg/L	No	77	C
36	Louisville	5.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
37	Bardstown	4.5 µg/L	No	13	B+
38	Hopkinsville	4.2 µg/L	No	15	A-
39	London	3.9 µg/L	No	19	B-
40	Albany	3.8 µg/L	No	21	B-
41	Dawson Springs, Ky 42408	3.6 µg/L	No	3	A-
42	Eddyville	3.6 µg/L	No	9	A-
43	Paintsville	3.5 µg/L	No	10	A-
44	Manchester	3.4 µg/L	No	16	C
45	Bradenburg	3.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
46	Berea	3.2 µg/L	No	30	A-
47	Greenville	2.9 µg/L	No	17	C+
48	Calhoun	2.9 µg/L	No	21	C
49	Greenup	2.8 µg/L	No	54	B-
50	Baxter	2.8 µg/L	No	16	F
51	Benton	2.7 µg/L	No	14	C+
52	Eubank	2.7 µg/L	No	10	A-
53	Shelbyville	2.6 µg/L	No	4	A-
54	Taylorsville	2.6 µg/L	No	1	A-
55	Morehead	2.5 µg/L	No	45	C+
56	Mt Washington	2.5 µg/L	No	1	A-
57	Lancaster	2.5 µg/L	No	13	B+
58	Elizabethtown	2.4 µg/L	No	3	B+
59	Danville	2.2 µg/L	No	10	A-
60	Coxs Creek	2.2 µg/L	No	7	B+
61	Nicholasville	2.1 µg/L	No	38	C-
62	Mayfield	2.0 µg/L	No	3	C-
63	Grennsburg	1.8 µg/L	No	11	A-
64	Madisonville	1.5 µg/L	No	15	B+
65	Cloverport	1.5 µg/L	No	12	A-
66	Sedalia	1.3 µg/L	No	5	B
67	Hardinsburg	1.1 µg/L	No	29	A-
68	Whitley City	1.0 µg/L	No	3	A
69	Barbourville	1.0 µg/L	No	10	C+
70	Henderson	0.8 µg/L	No	7	B
71	Prestonsburg	0.8 µg/L	No	11	A-
72	Cadiz	0.8 µg/L	No	4	B+
73	Leitchfield	0.8 µg/L	No	9	A-
74	Mt Vernon	0.8 µg/L	No	2	A-
75	Frankfort	0.8 µg/L	No	7	C+
76	Salem	0.7 µg/L	No	10	B+
77	Horse Cave	0.6 µg/L	No	3	A-
78	Mt Sterling	0.6 µg/L	No	118	D
79	Burlington	0.6 µg/L	No	6	B
80	Florence	0.6 µg/L	No	4	A
81	Middlesboro	0.5 µg/L	No	1	A-
82	Murray	0.5 µg/L	No	1	C-
83	Franklin	0.4 µg/L	No	2	A-
84	Winchester	0.4 µg/L	No	25	B+
85	Owensboro	0.4 µg/L	No	5	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about manganese in Kentucky

Is manganese in Kentucky tap water harmful?

The EPA secondary MCL for manganese is 50 µg/L, set primarily for aesthetic reasons (taste, color, staining). 6 cities in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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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