Manganese Contamination

Manganese in Tennessee Drinking Water

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

105

Cities Tested

Over SMCL

% Over SMCL

11.7 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 12% vs national

vs National

227

Health Violations

Analysis

Manganese in Tennessee: what the data shows

Tennessee has 105 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 11.7 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

Tennessee

6 of 105 cities

← ▼ 12% below national rate (better)

National avg

18%

729 of 4068 cities

City Map

Manganese data across Tennessee

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 Tennessee

Highest Manganese levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Tennessee cities ranked by manganese level

#	City	Level	Over SMCL?	Violations	Grade
1	Jamestown	113.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	21	B
2	Mcminnville	84.2 µg/L	Over SMCL	8	B+
3	Lavergne	72.1 µg/L	Over SMCL	9	B+
4	Crossville	62.1 µg/L	Over SMCL	14	B+
5	Franklin	55.6 µg/L	Over SMCL	25	C+
6	Franklin	55.6 µg/L	Over SMCL	12	B-
7	Cookeville	46.8 µg/L	No	4	B+
8	Johnson City	46.4 µg/L	No	0	A
9	Kingsport	44.0 µg/L	No	6	B
10	Oak Ridge	32.8 µg/L	No	1	A-
11	Sparta	28.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
12	Rockwood	26.9 µg/L	No	3	A-
13	Harriman	24.3 µg/L	No	13	D+
14	Gatlinburg	22.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
15	Lebanon	21.3 µg/L	No	21	C-
16	Maryville	20.9 µg/L	No	9	A-
17	Knoxville	18.3 µg/L	No	36	C-
18	Knoxville	18.3 µg/L	No	1	A
19	Huntsville	16.2 µg/L	No	0	A+
20	Nolensville	15.4 µg/L	No	8	B
21	Atoka	15.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
22	Greeneville	14.2 µg/L	No	50	C-
23	Alcoa	13.5 µg/L	No	4	A
24	Cleveland	12.8 µg/L	No	58	B
25	Georgetown	11.8 µg/L	No	2	B
26	Bethpage	11.8 µg/L	No	10	A
27	Portland	11.1 µg/L	No	5	A
28	Memphis	11.0 µg/L	No	4	C+
29	Lexington	10.4 µg/L	No	11	A-
30	Springfield	10.0 µg/L	No	7	A
31	Lenoir City	9.9 µg/L	No	3	B-
32	Brownsville	9.9 µg/L	No	0	A
33	Newport	9.0 µg/L	No	3	A
34	Harvest	8.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
35	Harvest	8.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
36	Wartburg	8.6 µg/L	No	1	A
37	Murfreesboro	8.4 µg/L	No	4	B+
38	Roan Mountain	8.4 µg/L	No	0	B
39	Alexandria	8.2 µg/L	No	2	B-
40	Jonesborough	8.0 µg/L	No	12	A-
41	South Carthage	7.6 µg/L	No	1	B
42	Church Hill	7.1 µg/L	No	4	A-
43	Madisonville	7.1 µg/L	No	6	A-
44	Springville	7.1 µg/L	No	1	A-
45	Nashville	6.8 µg/L	No	5	C+
46	Dayton	6.6 µg/L	No	11	B-
47	Oneida	6.3 µg/L	No	25	B+
48	Vonore	6.0 µg/L	No	2	A
49	Rickman	6.0 µg/L	No	3	A
50	Collierville	5.8 µg/L	No	2	A
51	Clarksville	5.2 µg/L	No	8	B
52	Harrogate	5.2 µg/L	No	2	A-
53	Columbia	5.0 µg/L	No	9	B+
54	Loudon	4.4 µg/L	No	5	B+
55	Pigeon Forge	4.4 µg/L	No	1	A
56	Germantown	4.1 µg/L	No	0	A-
57	Rogersville	4.0 µg/L	No	40	C-
58	La Follette	3.9 µg/L	No	15	D+
59	La Follette	3.9 µg/L	No	15	D+
60	Townsend	3.9 µg/L	No	0	A-
61	Madison	3.6 µg/L	No	1	A
62	Athens	3.6 µg/L	No	0	A
63	Smyrna	3.5 µg/L	No	9	A-
64	Smithville	3.4 µg/L	No	6	C+
65	Ripley	3.4 µg/L	No	1	A
66	Friendsville	3.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
67	Manchester	3.2 µg/L	No	2	D+
68	Fayetteville	3.1 µg/L	No	2	D
69	Brentwood	3.1 µg/L	No	1	A-
70	Dickson	2.9 µg/L	No	1	A
71	Bartlett	2.9 µg/L	No	0	A
72	Soddy-Daisy	2.9 µg/L	No	2	A
73	Pulaski	2.8 µg/L	No	4	B+
74	Dandridge	2.6 µg/L	No	1	B+
75	Mount Juliet	2.3 µg/L	No	4	A+
76	Mount Juliet	2.3 µg/L	No	4	A+
77	Winchester	2.1 µg/L	No	7	A-
78	Paris	2.1 µg/L	No	0	A-
79	Sevierville	2.0 µg/L	No	11	D
80	Jackson	1.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
81	Lewisburg	1.8 µg/L	No	3	B+
82	Hendersonville	1.6 µg/L	No	8	A-
83	Chattanooga	1.5 µg/L	No	25	C+
84	Shelbyville	1.5 µg/L	No	28	C
85	Sweetwater	1.5 µg/L	No	2	B
86	Savannah	1.4 µg/L	No	9	B+
87	Lake City	1.4 µg/L	No	2	B-
88	Spring Hill	1.1 µg/L	No	2	A-
89	Selmer	1.1 µg/L	No	1	A-
90	Martin	1.1 µg/L	No	0	A
91	Jacksboro	0.9 µg/L	No	7	D+
92	Hixson	0.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
93	Humboldt	0.7 µg/L	No	0	A-
94	Morrison	0.7 µg/L	No	7	A
95	Greenbrier	0.7 µg/L	No	2	A-
96	Russellville	0.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
97	Elizabethton	0.6 µg/L	No	27	D
98	Hendersonville	0.6 µg/L	No	4	A+
99	Tullahoma	0.6 µg/L	No	0	B+
100	New Tazewell	0.6 µg/L	No	3	B+
101	Pleasant View	0.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
102	Harriman	0.5 µg/L	No	1	B+
103	Milan	0.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
104	Oakland	0.4 µg/L	No	0	A
105	Erwin	0.4 µg/L	No	27	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about manganese in Tennessee

Is manganese in Tennessee tap water harmful?

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