Manganese limits have been exceeded for a second time in the Village of Peoria Heights’ water supply.

While we are required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to notify the public of this Tier 2 violation, manganese is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water and air. It is present in commonly eaten foods such as nuts, grains and green vegetables. Some manganese is necessary for a healthy diet. The federal government has no threshold for manganese in drinking supplies, but the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does.

The Village received the same violation in November, 2021 with quarterly samples for the July-September testing period of .393 milligrams per liter (mg/L), above the maximum contamination level established by the IEPA of .150. This latest test had a reading of .190 mg/L, still above the allowable limit but a substantial improvement from just months ago. We have been testing monthly since last November and will now perform in-house testing on a weekly basis.

Excessive manganese in the water may cause staining of plumbing fixtures and laundry. It may also produce an unpleasant taste in beverages including coffee and tea. While long-term exposure is generally necessary to compromise health, we advise that infants under 6 months old be given bottled water or alternative liquids as opposed to tap water, for the time being

We would like to reassure village water customers that we take this issue seriously and that we are working to address it. Heights Superintendent of Public Works Chris Chandler is working closely with the EPA and other water professionals to determine a permanent solution to this issue. The Village also will be issuing a Drinking Water Health Advisory Public Notice.