Manganese Contamination

Manganese in North Carolina Drinking Water

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

117

Cities Tested

Over SMCL

10%

% Over SMCL

35.3 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 8% vs national

vs National

362

Health Violations

Analysis

Manganese in North Carolina: what the data shows

North Carolina has 117 cities with manganese data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Manganese exceeded the 50 µg/L EPA secondary MCL in 12 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 35.3 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

North Carolina

10%

12 of 117 cities

← ▼ 8% below national rate (better)

National avg

18%

729 of 4068 cities

City Map

Manganese data across North Carolina

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 North Carolina

Highest Manganese levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All North Carolina cities ranked by manganese level

#	City	Level	Over SMCL?	Violations	Grade
1	Raleigh	1120.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	241	F
2	Clinton	531.4 µg/L	Over SMCL	3	B+
3	Fayetteville	222.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	392	F
4	Charlotte	121.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	47	F
5	Deep Run	116.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	0	B+
6	Elon	104.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	7	D+
7	Statesville	98.7 µg/L	Over SMCL	37	F
8	Elizabethtown	82.1 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	B+
9	Kenansville	81.1 µg/L	Over SMCL	2	B
10	Rose Hill	67.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	0	A-
11	Sanford	62.8 µg/L	Over SMCL	31	F
12	Kinston	56.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	4	C-
13	Burlington	49.8 µg/L	No	33	F
14	Wilmington	48.1 µg/L	No	22	F
15	Goldsboro	47.7 µg/L	No	11	F
16	Mocksville	46.7 µg/L	No	19	C
17	Hudson	46.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
18	Archdale	43.6 µg/L	No	30	D+
19	Carolina Beach	40.5 µg/L	No	5	D
20	Mebane	38.0 µg/L	No	10	B+
21	Apex	36.4 µg/L	No	40	F
22	Maxton	35.2 µg/L	No	12	C
23	Warrenton	34.0 µg/L	No	5	B
24	Winton	32.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
25	Pinebluff	30.3 µg/L	No	32	D+
26	Butner	29.6 µg/L	No	25	B
27	Hickory	28.3 µg/L	No	11	F
28	Reidsville	27.4 µg/L	No	36	F
29	Leland	27.4 µg/L	No	11	C
30	Boone	27.0 µg/L	No	33	F
31	Tarboro	27.0 µg/L	No	49	F
32	Harrisburg	26.3 µg/L	No	28	F
33	Waynesville	24.7 µg/L	No	5	C+
34	Rockingham	24.5 µg/L	No	15	C
35	Lilesville	24.3 µg/L	No	16	D
36	Cary	23.3 µg/L	No	9	F
37	Concord	22.3 µg/L	No	37	F
38	Raeford	22.2 µg/L	No	16	F
39	Smithfield	21.7 µg/L	No	9	C+
40	Valdese	21.1 µg/L	No	0	B+
41	Lumberton	21.1 µg/L	No	2	B
42	Jacksonville	20.2 µg/L	No	22	F
43	Richfield	20.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
44	Lexington	19.2 µg/L	No	14	B-
45	Belmont	18.7 µg/L	No	6	D+
46	Greenville	18.6 µg/L	No	7	C-
47	Kannapolis	17.6 µg/L	No	16	C-
48	Taylorsville	17.6 µg/L	No	7	B
49	Efland	16.0 µg/L	No	10	F
50	Kings Mountain	14.8 µg/L	No	5	B
51	Bellarthur	14.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
52	Polkton	14.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
53	Granite Falls	13.6 µg/L	No	4	B+
54	Thomasville	13.2 µg/L	No	0	A-
55	Wilson	12.6 µg/L	No	7	C+
56	Windsor	12.4 µg/L	No	7	A-
57	Monroe	12.0 µg/L	No	10	B-
58	Albemarle	12.0 µg/L	No	46	C-
59	Washington	11.9 µg/L	No	2	B+
60	Edenton	11.7 µg/L	No	31	D+
61	Holly Springs	11.6 µg/L	No	8	C-
62	Roanoke Rapids	11.5 µg/L	No	17	B
63	Mount Airy	11.5 µg/L	No	0	B
64	Louisburg	11.4 µg/L	No	20	C-
65	Forest City	11.2 µg/L	No	1	B-
66	Rocky Mount	9.4 µg/L	No	17	C
67	Laurinburg	9.0 µg/L	No	0	C
68	Conover	8.6 µg/L	No	6	F
69	Pinehurst	8.0 µg/L	No	5	C-
70	Kill Devil Hill	8.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
71	Henderson	7.5 µg/L	No	25	F
72	Erwin	7.2 µg/L	No	0	B+
73	Lillington	7.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
74	Oak Island	6.7 µg/L	No	1	B
75	Elizabeth City	6.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
76	New Bern	6.3 µg/L	No	4	B+
77	Durham	6.3 µg/L	No	94	F
78	Fuquay-Varina	6.0 µg/L	No	34	F
79	Mt Gilead	5.6 µg/L	No	18	F
80	Clayton	5.5 µg/L	No	50	D
81	Bayboro	5.3 µg/L	No	14	B-
82	Asheboro	5.2 µg/L	No	8	F
83	Bakersville	5.1 µg/L	No	3	B-
84	Rutherfordton	4.8 µg/L	No	7	B-
85	Cherry Point	4.5 µg/L	No	3	A-
86	Spring Lake	4.4 µg/L	No	25	D+
87	Asheville	4.1 µg/L	No	12	F
88	Havelock	3.4 µg/L	No	20	B+
89	Morganton	3.2 µg/L	No	2	B+
90	Lawndale	3.0 µg/L	No	1	B-
91	Greensboro	3.0 µg/L	No	29	F
92	Denver	2.8 µg/L	No	10	C-
93	Clemmons	2.6 µg/L	No	0	A-
94	Camp Lejeune	2.5 µg/L	No	10	A-
95	Gatesville	2.4 µg/L	No	0	B+
96	King	2.3 µg/L	No	12	B+
97	Burgaw	2.2 µg/L	No	21	F
98	Hendersonville	2.0 µg/L	No	36	F
99	Mooresville	1.9 µg/L	No	22	F
100	Conetoe	1.9 µg/L	No	0	A-
101	Hiddenite	1.9 µg/L	No	3	A-
102	Lincolnton	1.7 µg/L	No	0	D+
103	Mt Pleasant	1.7 µg/L	No	19	D
104	Shelby	1.6 µg/L	No	2	A
105	Eden	1.5 µg/L	No	10	C
106	Highlands	1.4 µg/L	No	25	F
107	Miller Creek	1.4 µg/L	No	1	B+
108	High Point	1.3 µg/L	No	2	B-
109	Hillsborough	1.2 µg/L	No	9	C-
110	Roxboro	1.2 µg/L	No	9	A-
111	Murfreesboro	1.1 µg/L	No	4	B+
112	Wilson Mills	1.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
113	Carrboro	1.0 µg/L	No	0	A
114	Salisbury	0.8 µg/L	No	27	F
115	Newton	0.8 µg/L	No	15	F
116	Gastonia	0.7 µg/L	No	102	F
117	Mt Holly	0.6 µg/L	No	1	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about manganese in North Carolina

Is manganese in North Carolina tap water harmful?

The EPA secondary MCL for manganese is 50 µg/L, set primarily for aesthetic reasons (taste, color, staining). 12 cities in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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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