2026-07-29 Community Water Quality Update

Community Water Quality Update

"Brown Water" Events

Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and air. It is commonly found in the food we eat, including nuts, legumes, seeds, grains, and green leafy vegetables and in drinking water. Our bodies require small amounts of manganese to stay healthy. Adults and children get enough manganese from the foods we eat. Infants and children get sufficient manganese from breast milk, food, or formula.

Laboratory analysis has shown a correlation between abnormal "brown water" events and elevated levels of Manganese in Wrangell water. The levels measured during such events have been above the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) short-term health advisory of 1 mg/L for General Population and 0.3 mg/L for infants under 6 months old.

Please note that tests performed on our normally clear drinking water are far below this value.

Too much manganese can increase the risk of health problems, particularly for infants under 6 months old. Infants are more at risk than older children and adults because their brains and bodies are quickly developing. Formula-fed infants get enough manganese from formula to meet their dietary needs. However, they may get too much manganese (above the recommended amount for nutrition) in their bodies when formula is mixed with water that contains manganese. Excessive exposure to manganese early in life can have long-lasting neurological impacts. The US EPA recommends that infants up to 6 months of age should not be given water with manganese concentrations greater than 0.3 mg/L for more than a total of 10 days per year, nor should the water be used to make formula for more than 10 days per year.

What should I do?

Brown or discolored water should not be consumed. Adults and children of all ages can continue to bathe and shower, brush their teeth, and wash clothes, food, and dishes in tap water.

When manganese levels in drinking water are above 0.3 mg/L, infants under 6 months of age should immediately stop consuming the water and formula that was prepared with the water. Use bottled water or alternative sources of water for infants. Making formula or foods with water containing manganese levels above the health advisory can increase an infant's risk of health problems.

BOILING WATER WILL NOT REDUCE LEVELS OF MANGANESE.Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce manganese. Boiling can increase levels of manganese because manganese remains behind when the water evaporates. If water must be boiled for other treatment purposes, boil water in a pot with a suitable lid to minimize evaporation for no more than the minimum time required in the notice.

Adults and children should continue to eat a balanced diet that includes a diversity of subsistence foods, or supplemented with leafy greens, beans, nuts, and whole grains. These foods help reduce the amount of manganese that gets absorbed into the body, as well as providing minerals and nutrients required for balanced heath.

If you have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

What happened? What is being done?

There are buildups of insoluble particles within the distribution system in areas that normally experience low usage. The problem only occurs when this sediment is knocked loose by high flow events (flushing, hydrant tests, fire response, water main breaks). The City and Borough of Wrangell is aware of this, and is working to address this issue by regularly flushing main lines with limited use or dead ends.

For more information, please review the 2025 Wrangell Drinking Water Quality Report Or contact public works at 907-874-3904

https://www.wrangell.com/publicworks/annual-drinking-water-quality-report

This notice is being sent to you by the City and Borough of Wrangell Water System. State Water System ID#: AK2120143 Date distributed: 7/29/2026