Mound Mayor Jason Holt tried just about everything to ensure his family had drinkable water: He bought it in bottles. He experimented with filters. He installed a special treatment system.
Now, four years after unsafe levels of manganese were detected in the city’s water supply, Holt says it’s time to “have an adult conversation” about what it would take for the city to build its first water treatment plant.
Mound is among more than three dozen Minnesota cities that have detected unsafe levels of manganese in some parts of their water systems. But finding a solution can prove difficult and costly. While some residents are pleading with local leaders to build new facilities fast, others are urging them to avoid hiking already high water bills.
“It’s a lot of money. We get it. We don’t take this lightly,” Holt said. But, at the same time, he added, “the city, just like every city in the state, should be providing drinkable water at the source.”
It’s difficult to tell precisely how many towns in Minnesota have unsafe levels of manganese in their drinking water. About five years ago, after new health research prompted state officials to release updated manganese recommendations, some cities chose to voluntarily test for it. Cities that have found high manganese include Mound, Ramsey and Lino Lakes.
Manganese is a substance naturally found in rocks, soil and groundwater. Humans need some manganese to stay healthy, but drinking excess levels can cause neurological problems. Adults’ attention, memory and motor skills might decline, while infants could develop learning or behavior problems, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
When excess levels of manganese are detected, the Department of Health offers residents a few recommendations: They can drink bottled water. They can use a water softener. They can install home treatment systems.
“There is no perfect solution. They all have their pros and cons,” said Karla Peterson, chief engineer and technical advisor for drinking water at the Minnesota Department of Health.