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(Undated) -- The city of Kimballton in Audubon County has issued a bottled water advisory for the community of 291 residents through August 1st, due to the level of manganese which is above recommended levels.
Manganese is a common, naturally-occurring mineral found in rocks, soil, groundwater, and surface water, but the United States Environmental Protection Agency has developed a health advisory level for manganese in drinking water of 0.3 mg/L which is intended to be protective of lifetime exposure for the general population.
The US EPA recommends that infants up to 6 months of age should not be given water with manganese concentrations greater than 0.3 mg/L for more than a total of 10 days per year, nor should the water be used to make formula for more than ten days per year.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources advises against giving tap water to adults and children of any age. Adults, children, and infants who drink water containing manganese above the health advisory level may be associated with adverse health effects. Bottled water or an alternative source should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice.
The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes.
- Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled or other water low in manganese should be used for infants until further notice.
- DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the manganese level. Excessive boiling can make the manganese more concentrated because manganese remains behind when the water evaporates.