Introduction
Shreveport, Louisiana – After being reported as one of the highest reservoirs of manganese in the United States, the levels of this mineral are finally dropping in Cross Lake, thanks to significant efforts from the Shreveport Water and Sewerage Department. The director, William Daniel, attributes the high levels in the past to extreme weather conditions, like sweltering heat and intense rainfall.
A Daunting Task
According to Daniel, the Amiss Water Treatment Plant was not originally engineered to handle such elevated quantities of manganese, which forced the department to make adjustments to their regular processes. “The Amiss Water Treatment Plant was not designed to treat levels of manganese this high. We have had to change some of our processes to get the levels down,” Daniel explained.
The Manganese Issue
Manganese manifests as the 12th most abundant element in the earth’s crust, naturally occurring in groundwater and surface sources. Disturbed dirt swallowed by heavy rains or runoff can lead it into water bodies.
“We’ve sampled the tributaries coming in; they’re high in manganese. We sampled different spots in the lake; they’re high in manganese. There’s a lot of manganese on the bottom of the lake in the lake bed. When the lake turns over, that manganese comes up to the surface,” Daniel offered a detailed explanation of the manganese accumulation.
Flush and Rein
Since late June, the department has been carrying out large-scale water line flushing in local neighborhoods to dispose of the discolored water induced by the manganese. Shreve Island resident Carla Pampe expressed her struggles to get rid of the yellow-colored water, stating, “It’s been a yellow color in the bathtub, sinks, and coming out of my faucets and water hose. I have already drained my pool twice, trying to get some cleaner water to come out, but this is the worst it’s ever been.”
Manganese Spread and Its Effects
Manganese overspread is not limited to Cross Lake, as Greenwood and Haughton too have noticed an upsurge in their water systems. Despite the uninviting appearance, Daniel assures manganese-laden water is safe for consumption and bathing. “It is deemed by the EPA as a secondary standard and is a very, very, very low risk to public health. It is perfectly safe to drink, but I understand if that yellow color might throw you off a little bit,” he said.
Contact Information for Line Flush Requests
For residents looking to request a line flush, they should establish contact with their local water systems. Shreveport residents may dial 318-673-7600 for assistance.
Conclusion
While this alarming issue raises various environmental and public health concerns, the lowering levels in Cross Lake display an optimistic scenario for the residents, assuring them of safe and better water quality in the near future.
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Tags:
Shreveport, Louisiana, Manganese, William Daniel, Shreveport Water And Sewerage, Cross Lake, Haughton, Greenwood, Water Systems, Environmental Protection Agency, 318-673-7600, Amiss Water Treatment Plant
