Brown water is because of too much manganese

For weeks now residents have been complaining about brown water coming out of their taps. Daily chores like cooking and washing clothes are out of the question. An investigation was conducted by the municipal team with assistance from accredited external laboratory services to determine and provide recommendations on how to address the problem.

“It has been established that the water discolouration is caused by high manganese concentration within the water catchment area. This is as a result of acid mine drainage from the mining operations within the municipal area and water catchment area leading to the Witbank Dam,” said municipal spokesperson Mr Lebo Mofokeng.

The municipal water treatment plant is also not designed to address high manganese concentration and contingent measures are implemented to improve the water quality such as bulk chemical dosing, urgent attention to electromechanical failures, process refining, and vigorous testing.

“The dosing system will be adjusted and amended to accommodate chemical quantities required for dosing. In the medium, to long term solution, the municipality in conjunction with the Department of Water and Sanitation is implementing a project intended to improve the treatment efficiency and water quality.”

The Department of Water and Sanitation will be asked to engage with the mining companies to release compliant water into the water source. Communities and consumers are urged to report any water quality failures so that they can receive the necessary attention.

What is manganese?

• Manganese is a mineral that is found naturally in the environment and is one of the most abundant metals on the earth’s surface, in air, water, and soil. It can be found in both groundwater and surface water from natural sources or as a result of human activity such as mining and industrial discharges.
• Manganese is used in various industries, including the manufacture of iron and steel alloys, batteries, glass, fireworks, various cleaning supplies, fertilizers, varnish, fungicides, cosmetics, and livestock feeding supplements.
• Drinking water can be a source of exposure to manganese. Elevated manganese concentrations can occur in municipal water as well as water from private wells. In general, manganese is more prevalent and found at higher concentrations in groundwater than surface water. Most exposure occurs from ingestion and not from bathing/showering.
• Food is a significant source of exposure, but bioavailability (meaning the amount that your body absorbs) is greater from drinking water.

(Source Water Quality Association).