The Capital Regional District (CRD) in consultation with Island Health has issued a water quality advisory for Wilderness Mountain Water Service Area in East Sooke due to elevated concentrations of manganese. The water quality advisory is in effect for the entire service area.
The latest science now associates high concentrations of manganese in drinking water with health issues in infants (from birth to one year old). High levels of manganese can make water appear brown, purple or black at concentrations less than what Health Canada considers the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) in drinking water.
As a precaution, it is recommended to avoid drinking discoloured water or using discoloured water to prepare food or infant formula. Older children and adults are less sensitive to manganese than infants and Health Canada suggests that the health risk from manganese concentrations of less than 300 ppb is much lower for older children and adults.
Health Canada has set a MAC for manganese at 120 parts per billion (ppb) and an aesthetic objective of 20 ppb. The current levels in the Wilderness Mountain water distribution system are around 150 ppb. Due to the elevated levels of manganese present in the Wilderness Mountain Water Service system, infants should not consume tap water or formula made with tap water. Bottled water should be used when preparing infant formula.
Manganese can be reduced to acceptable levels through specific water treatment, and the CRD is working on strategies to improve the water treatment at Wilderness Mountain.
Visit www.crd.bc.ca/alerts for updates on the advisory.
