Manganese Contamination

Manganese in Utah Drinking Water

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

Cities Tested

Over SMCL

27%

% Over SMCL

53.4 µg/L

State Avg

▲ 9% vs national

vs National

150

Health Violations

Analysis

Manganese in Utah: what the data shows

Utah has 45 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 53.4 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

Utah

27%

12 of 45 cities

→ ▲ 9% above national rate (worse)

National avg

18%

729 of 4068 cities

City Map

Manganese data across Utah

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 Utah

Highest Manganese levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Utah cities ranked by manganese level

#	City	Level	Over SMCL?	Violations	Grade
1	Elwood	800.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	8	B-
2	Draper	200.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	18	F
3	Cedar City	153.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	115	F
4	Saratoga Springs	150.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	16	F
5	Plain City	138.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	2	B
6	Bountiful	126.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	9	D
7	Salt Lake City	100.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	26	F
8	Roy	83.3 µg/L	Over SMCL	1	B-
9	Lehi	82.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	17	F
10	East Carbon	76.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	6	B
11	Ogden	72.0 µg/L	Over SMCL	5	F
12	West Haven	54.4 µg/L	Over SMCL	2	B+
13	Orem	47.5 µg/L	No	76	F
14	Coalville	47.0 µg/L	No	21	F
15	West Jordan	37.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
16	Farr West	36.9 µg/L	No	7	B-
17	Springville	24.9 µg/L	No	8	C
18	Clinton	24.0 µg/L	No	9	C+
19	Brigham City	22.1 µg/L	No	14	C-
20	Hurricane	19.0 µg/L	No	8	C+
21	Eagle Mountain	14.4 µg/L	No	25	D
22	Spanish Fork	12.3 µg/L	No	26	F
23	Kearns	12.0 µg/L	No	6	B
24	Layton	11.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
25	Riverton	10.4 µg/L	No	1	B+
26	Hyrum	10.0 µg/L	No	0	A
27	Montua	5.6 µg/L	No	7	B-
28	Kaysville	5.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
29	Smithfield	4.0 µg/L	No	3	F
30	Santa Clara	3.9 µg/L	No	0	B+
31	Sandy	3.0 µg/L	No	13	F
32	St George City	2.9 µg/L	No	4	B+
33	Wellsville	2.7 µg/L	No	16	D+
34	Tooele	2.0 µg/L	No	5	F
35	South Jordan	1.7 µg/L	No	4	C+
36	Francis	1.5 µg/L	No	2	B
37	North Salt Lake	1.4 µg/L	No	4	C-
38	Herriman	1.3 µg/L	No	13	D+
39	Heber City	1.1 µg/L	No	34	F
40	Dammeron Valley	1.1 µg/L	No	5	B
41	Bluffdale	1.0 µg/L	No	7	C
42	Magna	0.9 µg/L	No	1	B+
43	Payson	0.9 µg/L	No	19	D
44	Syracuse	0.8 µg/L	No	3	B-
45	Park City	0.7 µg/L	No	10	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about manganese in Utah

Is manganese in Utah tap water harmful?

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