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Manganese Treatment and Distribution System Management
Citation:
Keithley, A. AND D. Lytle. Manganese Treatment and Distribution System Management. AWWA Manganese Subcommittee monthly meeting, Cincinnati, OH, May 11, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral prevalent in drinking water sources across the U.S., and at elevated concentrations, it can have neurotoxic effects. This presentation describes biological treatment for manganese and management of legacy manganese in distribution systems. These results are important for water systems considering implementing manganese treatment for both process selection and distribution system management. Interested audiences include design engineers, water operators, and municipalities.
Description:
Manganese is prevalent in regions throughout the U.S. A water system might choose to install treatment to achieve lower manganese concentrations and would need to manage legacy Mn in the distribution system. Biological treatment of groundwaters with multiple contaminants via aerated contactor and filter consistently achieved Mn < 10 µg/L. Manganese media surface concentrations were greatest at influent end of contactor and not related to Mn oxidases concentrations. In one system, the total manganese concentration decreased substantially after switching sources, but some particulate manganese was intermittently detected farther out in the distribution system.