Manganese in Water - DIY Test

The WHO’s view on manganese in water*

Sources of manganese in water

Naturally present in soil in small amounts, manganese can dissolve in groundwater and contaminate it. It is also present in food in small, harmless amounts. In water, it can be detected by its unpleasant taste and brown or blackish color.

Standards for manganese in water

For manganese, the health-based value is 0.4 mg/l, which is higher than the acceptability threshold of 0.1 mg/l. Above this level, manganese can give water an unpleasant taste and stain plumbing fixtures and laundry. The presence of manganese also causes deposits to accumulate in pipes, particularly a type of black precipitate that occurs at concentrations of 0.2 mg/l and above. **

Effects of manganese on the body

Canadian studies suggest a link between manganese in drinking water and neurological disorders in young children exposed to manganese concentrations above 0.05 mg/L. Note that the level becomes truly dangerous when the manganese concentration in water exceeds 0.12 mg/L.

 
* This section is based in part on the WHO report “Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality”.

**A guideline value is a reference value provided by the WHO.

Test manganese in your water with an eXact photometer

Test procedure with the iDip photometer

This kit of 2 x 24 test strips and its reagent lets you check for manganese in your water. 

These test strips and reagents let you measure manganese in your water using the IDIP photometer. It is very easy to use :

1. Open the app on your mobile phone and turn on the photometer.

2. Add water to the tester’s designated test cell

3. Place the test strip (and reagent if needed) in the water for 20 seconds

4. Read the result directly on the photometer, the result is automatically saved to your phone.

This water testing system is fast, reliable, modern, expandable, and comprehensive, making it THE most accessible system.

Test procedure with the Micro20 photometer

• PREPARE THE TEST - Remove 1 eXact® Strip Micro Mn#1 test strip, part number 481020–1, and 1 eXact® Strip Micro Mn#2 test strip, part number 481020–2, from their foil packets before starting the test. Also shake the eXact® Reagent MN bottle and remove the cap. Place the strips in a dry, convenient location, then immediately replace the cap on the bottle.
• TURN ON THE DEVICE - Turn on the photometer by pressing the ON/ZERO button. The display will show all indicators, then the selected menu, then the last results obtained.
• SELECT THE GROUP AND PARAMETERS -  Press the SELECT button repeatedly to select the group : the manganese test is in group 2. Then press the MENU button repeatedly to select the test parameters : MN. (You can find all this information in a table in the user manual supplied with the device).
• RINSE AND FILL THE TEST CELL - Rinse the test cell at least 3 times with the water you will be testing (to minimize the risk of cross-contamination from your previous test).
• DIP THE STRIP & PRESS READ - Dip the Mn#1 strip into the CELL, then immediately press READ. This starts a 20-second countdown. During this time, gently move the strip back and forth (about 2 movements per second). Remove and discard the strip after the ‘1’ disappears from the display. The cursor will move across the display, prompting you to prepare to dip the Mn#2 strip. When the next 20-second countdown begins, immediately dip the Mn#2 strip into the CELL using the same gentle back-and-forth motion (about 2 movements per second). Remove and discard the strip after the ‘1’ disappears from the display. The meter will automatically start counting up to 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, the cursor will move across the display and the display will automatically reset to zero.
• ADD THE DROPS - Shake the reagent bottle vigorously. Add 3 drops of eXact® MN reagent to the CELL (Caution : Make sure the bottle is upright while dispensing the drops) and cover with the CELL CAP. When the 20-second countdown begins, place your thumb on the cap and mix the sample by repeatedly turning the meter upside down and back during the countdown. When the timer displays ‘1’, place the meter upright and the cursor will flash. The meter will begin a 120-second countdown. After 120 seconds, the cursor will move across the display while the meter measures the sample*. Record the displayed result (this result is automatically stored in the MN menu and, if you use the eXact iDip® app, it will be stored in the app’s ‘RESULTS’). Once the test is complete, immediately rinse the CELL and clean it with the brush.