VICKSBURG, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Village of Vicksburg announced Wednesday that a precautionary water advisory is being issued for children under 12 months old.
The measure stems from the discovery of elevated levels of manganese in the municipal water system. While the village works with county and state health officials, a bottled water advisory is in place for children under 12 months old.
Manganese is a separate element from magnesium. There is no national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR) for manganese.
Officials say the reason for doing so is because the bodies of adults and children older than 12 months can remove excess manganese. Infants’ bodies may not be able to process higher levels. Making formula or foods with water containing high levels of manganese can increase an infant’s risk of health problems.
Too much manganese is linked to learning and behavior problems.
The current manganese levels that have been independently tested show that the levels of manganese in a sample of homes/businesses connected to Vicksburg Municipal Water System are between 10-320 parts per billion (ppb).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) short-term (1-10 day) Health Advisory for infants less than 12 months old is 300 ppb, while adults and children older than 12 months is 1,000 ppb.
As a result, officials are advising the following:
- Infants less than 12 months old should be given bottled water for anything they eat or drink, including making juice, formula, purees and cereals.
- Adults and children over 12 months old can use tap water for drinking.
- Adults and children of any age (including infants) can continue to bathe and shower, brush their teeth, and wash clothes, foods, and dishes in tap water.
Additionally, the Village of Vicksburg will be providing bottled water for families with infants 12 months and under until further notice. Any citizens that are on the Village water system, have a child under the age of 12 months, and require bottled water should call 269-649-1919 and delivery will be arranged.
That phone number can also be called for any questions pertaining to this matter.
Questions can also be directed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at 800-648-6942.
These lines are open Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
A Virtual Town Hall Meeting is being held Tuesday September 1st at 6 p.m. and will include experts from the Kalamazoo County Health Department and the State of Michigan.
A link to the meeting will be posted at www.vicksburgmi.org prior to its start.
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