What’s in Your Drinking Water?

Safe drinking water is a priority in every community, and water testing is a mandate in the state of New Jersey. When testing potable drinking water, metals such as iron, nickel, and lead are of particular concern. High levels of exposure to these metals can cause serious health problems such as nerve and brain damage, kidney and liver damage, and blood disorders. While not as life-threatening, even metals on the EPA’s secondary drinking water regulation list can be problematic (1). One such metal, manganese, has made headlines after a breakthrough discovery traces its appearance in waterway systems to a species of bacteria residing in groundwater.

Scientists from CalTech have discovered two species of bacteria that eat manganese and use it as their fuel source. These findings confirm what scientists have speculated about such microbes for over a century.

CalTech professor of environmental microbiology, Jared Leadbetter, stumbled upon the bacteria in a happy accident. He left a manganese-soiled glass jar from an unrelated experiment in his Caltech office sink. After months of soaking in the tap water, the jar became coated in a black material. Bacteria that live in Pasadena’s local drinking water had oxidized the manganese, resulting in the black film coating the jar.

Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in the air, soil, and water. It is one of the most common contaminants found in surface and groundwater. Sources of manganese can occur naturally in groundwater through rock and soil weathering or through human activity such as industrial discharges, mining, and landfill leaching (2). While it is an essential nutrient for human life, exposure to high doses when inhaled can be toxic. There is little data to show that oral consumption is toxic, but high levels of manganese create other problems in drinking water such as a metallic taste and discoloration that can stain clothes or household items (3).

Manganese oxide build-ups can also create blockages in the supply chain pipes. This tends to be more problematic in older pipes. Leadbetter explains, "There is a whole set of environmental engineering literature on drinking-water-distribution systems getting clogged by manganese oxides," says Leadbetter. "But how and for what reason such material is generated there has remained an enigma. Clearly, many scientists have considered that bacteria using manganese for energy might be responsible, but evidence supporting this idea was not available until now" (4).

A sound understanding of our groundwater’s geochemistry is essential for water accessibility and consumer safety. You can’t be too careful when it comes to the integrity of your water supply. Rely on Sure-BioChem Laboratories for your state-mandated water testing and your peace of mind. Our experts perform sampling and analysis in our certified laboratory and submit the report directly to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Our trained professionals are experienced with state mandates, sampling protocols, and regulatory reporting requirements. In accordance with the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act, SBL will test for contaminants like manganese as well as:

Iron

When you trust SBL with your environmental testing services, you know what’s in your water.

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