High levels of manganese'more than 50 micrograms per liter'in Madison-area tap water have recently prompted Madison Water Utility to flush local wells of the excessive mineral build-up.
Although Rick Johnson, director of the Environmental Health Program at University Health Services, told University Communications May 26 that campus-area water is safe for drinking, Madison-area wells 3 and 10 still contain high levels of manganese.
Well 3 covers the area from North Eighth Street to South Blair Street in Madison, while well 10 covers the area from just south of Regent Street along South Midvale Boulevard past Nakoma Road to the West Beltline area. Well 10 also spans the Beltline area, including Seminole Highway and south of the Beltline to Fitchburg, spreading east to Greenway Cross.
Well 3 covers an area east of the Capitol building that may contain student residences.
MWU and the City of Madison advise that infants and people with liver disease should not drink tap water from June 5 to August 1 as MWU flushes the wells' pipes.
Overexposure to, and consumption of, manganese can cause both psychological and physical side effects including Parkinson's disease, memory deficits, suicidal tendencies, psychoses, rigidity, poor balance and tremors.
