Manganese Contamination

Manganese in Mississippi Drinking Water

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

Cities Tested

Over SMCL

18%

% Over SMCL

35.7 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

289

Health Violations

Analysis

Manganese in Mississippi: what the data shows

Mississippi has 61 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 35.7 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

Mississippi

18%

11 of 61 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

18%

729 of 4068 cities

City Map

Manganese data across Mississippi

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 Mississippi

Highest Manganese levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Mississippi cities ranked by manganese level

#	City	Level	Over SMCL?	Violations	Grade
1	Grenada	260.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	38	F
2	Long Beach	246.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	2	A-
3	Gulfport	185.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	8	D+
4	Canton	165.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	45	D
5	Aberdeen	90.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	D+
6	Mississippi State	84.8 µg/L	Over SMCL	2	B+
7	Woodville	84.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	7	D+
8	Meridian	76.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	5	D+
9	Jackson	74.3 µg/L	Over SMCL	75	D
10	Saltillo	72.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	26	D+
11	Mcneill	68.7 µg/L	Over SMCL	5	D+
12	Clarksdale	49.9 µg/L	No	56	F
13	Laurel	46.6 µg/L	No	5	D+
14	Clinton	46.5 µg/L	No	12	B
15	Oxford	44.0 µg/L	No	22	F
16	Florence	37.0 µg/L	No	59	D+
17	Corinth	30.0 µg/L	No	9	D
18	Biloxi	28.4 µg/L	No	10	D
19	Hamilton	27.9 µg/L	No	2	B
20	Pascagoula	27.1 µg/L	No	9	D
21	West Point	26.5 µg/L	No	4	D
22	Starkville	26.0 µg/L	No	16	D
23	Mccomb	25.7 µg/L	No	19	D
24	Scooba	25.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
25	Hattiesburg	23.9 µg/L	No	25	D
26	Greenwood	23.9 µg/L	No	7	C
27	Weir	23.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
28	Houlka	22.0 µg/L	No	6	C-
29	Cleveland	19.9 µg/L	No	13	B
30	Gautier	18.9 µg/L	No	4	A-
31	Madison	16.6 µg/L	No	2	B
32	Ocean Springs	16.5 µg/L	No	4	D+
33	D'Iberville	16.2 µg/L	No	5	C+
34	Flora	15.0 µg/L	No	43	D+
35	Bailey	15.0 µg/L	No	5	A
36	Natchez	13.3 µg/L	No	11	B+
37	Water Valley	11.0 µg/L	No	5	D+
38	Charleston	10.0 µg/L	No	34	D
39	Pinola	10.0 µg/L	No	6	B
40	Picayune	9.9 µg/L	No	5	D+
41	Greenville	9.3 µg/L	No	46	D
42	Tupelo	8.4 µg/L	No	19	D
43	Olive Branch	8.1 µg/L	No	8	B-
44	Marks	4.6 µg/L	No	5	D+
45	Shelby	4.3 µg/L	No	2	C+
46	Flowood	3.9 µg/L	No	3	B+
47	Horn Lake	3.3 µg/L	No	5	B
48	Philadelphia	3.2 µg/L	No	6	C-
49	Indianola	3.2 µg/L	No	11	C+
50	Brandon	2.9 µg/L	No	27	D+
51	Raymond	2.6 µg/L	No	54	D+
52	Brookhaven	2.2 µg/L	No	6	D+
53	Ridgeland	1.9 µg/L	No	21	D+
54	Holly Springs	1.9 µg/L	No	3	A-
55	Yazoo City	1.6 µg/L	No	8	D+
56	Hernando	1.4 µg/L	No	11	D+
57	Tylertown	1.1 µg/L	No	0	B+
58	Vicksburg	1.1 µg/L	No	53	D
59	Pearl	1.1 µg/L	No	5	C
60	Southaven	1.0 µg/L	No	3	B
61	Columbus	0.6 µg/L	No	15	D+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about manganese in Mississippi

Is manganese in Mississippi tap water harmful?

The EPA secondary MCL for manganese is 50 µg/L, set primarily for aesthetic reasons (taste, color, staining). 11 cities in Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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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