BATTLE CREEK, MI -- The city of Battle Creek is distributing bottled water beginning Thursday, June 14, after a contaminant was identified in the city water system that could impact the health of infants a year and younger, according to a news release from the city.

The water distribution comes after the City of Battle Creek announced on June 14 it found levels of manganese in the drinking water higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's acute health advisory level.

The city will distribute one case of bottled water per day to each family with an infant one year or younger, at the following times and locations:

Battle Creek City Hall, 10 N. Division Street, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday

Battle Creek Department of Public Works, 150 S. Kendall Street, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday

Battle Creek Police Department, 20 N. Division Street, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week at city fire stations 1-6:

-Fire Station 1, 195 E. Michigan Avenue

-Fire Station 2, 145 N. Washington Avenue

-Fire Station 3, 222 Cliff Street

-Fire Station 4, 8 S. 20th Street

-Fire Station 5, 1170 W. Michigan Avenue

-Fire Station 6, 2401 Capital Avenue SW





The levels of manganese were first found at a fire hydrant in the City of Springfield, which buys its water from Battle Creek. More testing was done, and elevated levels also were found at a hydrant in Battle Creek, the city said.

Testing did not show elevated levels in Bedford, Emmett, and Pennfield townships, the city said.

"As our customers, you have a right to know what has happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation," the city said in a news release.

"We routinely monitor your water for the presence of many regulated drinking water contaminants. Although manganese is not part of our required, routine testing, manganese samples were taken as part of an unregulated contaminant monitoring program required by the EPA," the city said.

Testing results for manganese collected in Battle Creek were 0.98 parts per million (ppm), and in Springfield were 0.68 ppm. The health advisory level for children under 12 months old is 0.3 ppm for short-term exposure - one to 10 days. The health advisory level for children older than 12 months, and adults, is 1.0 ppm for short-term exposure, the city said.

The city also tested the water where it comes out of the drinking water treatment plant - Verona Pumping Station - and did not find manganese.

The city said some amount of manganese is needed for the human body to function, but too much can be harmful.

Exposure to excess levels of manganese may occur from breathing air, particularly where manganese is used in manufacturing, and from drinking water and eating food. At high levels, it can cause damage to the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Controls. Exposure to high levels of manganese in air can cause lung irritation and reproductive effects, CDC said.

At the levels of manganese found, the body of adults and children older than a year can remove excess manganese, according to the city, though infants' bodies may not be able to remove too much manganese.

The city advises residents:

Do not boil the water, as boiling water does not remove manganese, and may increase the amount.

Infants under 12 months of age should only be given bottled water for anything they eat or drink, including for making juice, formula, purees, and cereals.

Adults and children older than 12 months can use tap water for drinking.

Adults and children of any age can continue to bathe and shower, brush their teeth, and wash clothes, food, and dishes in tap water.

The city advises anyone with medical questions to contact a doctor.

The city is investigating what happened and flushing fire hydrants to collect more samples.

For more information about manganese and health, residents can contact the Calhoun County Public Health Department hotline at 269-969-6852. This hotline will provide general information and contact information, and allow callers to reach health department staff Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents can also call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at 800-648-6942, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The city also has set up a hotline, 269-966-3311, which will provide the information and connect callers with Department of Public Works staff, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.