High manganese content in drinking water – recommendation not to drink tap water
Test results from drinking water in Longyearbyen show high concentrations of manganese.
Some measurements have shown values of up to 1000 µg/l, which exceeds the recommended limit values.
According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), there is no acute health risk associated with drinking the water. It is long-term consumption over several years that may pose a health risk.
Senior physician Ole Tveiten at Longyearbyen Hospital confirms this:
"We emphasize that there is no risk of acute poisoning, and the recommendations concern the possible effects of long-term consumption. There is therefore no danger associated with using small amounts of water in cooking for people over one year of age, but for the time being, it is recommended that the population of Longyearbyen of all ages avoid drinking tap water," says Tveiten.
Showering does not pose a health risk.
Recommendations:
- We do not recommend drinking tap water.
- Limit the use of tap water for cooking.
This will be a trust-based system, so we ask everyone to be considerate and help ensure that everyone has enough water for their daily consumption.
You can read the article about water samples published on October 2, at this link.
- If you have children aged 0-12 months, each child up to one year old will receive ten liters of water per week. You can read more about this at this link
Other issues concerning drinking water:
- Businesses can read more at this link
- Complex choices for water purification - Longyearbyen Local Council External link.
- Measures to reduce manganese in drinking water - Longyearbyen Local Council External link.
Can dogs drink tap water?
Longyearbyen Local Council has obtained a statement from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute:
"Manganese (Mn) is very low in toxicity for animals, and the problem with very high levels of Mn in feed or drinking water will primarily be disrupted absorption/utilization of other minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. An approximately 10-fold increase in Mn in drinking water is therefore not considered to pose a health problem for animals (dogs) in Svalbard. However, water with excessively high Mn content will often be discolored (contaminated with soil) and could pose a taste or aesthetic problem, or possibly a microbiological problem.
The Veterinary Institute believes that this elevated level of Mn in drinking water is still safe for animals (dogs) to consume.
Feel free to visit us at vetinst.no External link.
Questions about health? Contact Longyearbyen Hospital by phone: 76 17 33 00
For other questions:
Call Longyearbyen Local Council: 79 02 21 50
English
High Manganese Levels in Drinking Water – Recommendation to Avoid Tap Water Consumption
Water sample results from Longyearbyen show elevated concentrations of manganese.
Some measurements have reached up to 1000 µg/l, exceeding recommended limits.
According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), there is no immediate health risk from drinking the water. Health concerns are linked to long-term intake over several years.
Chief Medical Officer Ole Tveiten at Longyearbyen Hospital confirms:
“We emphasize that there is no risk of acute poisoning. The recommendations concern potential effects from long-term intake. Therefore, there is no danger in using small amounts of tap water for cooking for individuals over the age of one. However, until further notice, we recommend that all residents of Longyearbyen, regardless of age, avoid drinking tap water,” says Tveiten.
Recommendations
- Do not drink tap water.
- Limit the use of tap water for cooking.
There is a limit of 5 liters per household per day for purchasing additional water beyond the free quota.
This is a trust-based system, and we kindly ask everyone to be considerate and help ensure that all residents have access to enough water for daily use.
New water samples will be taken, and residents will be continuously updated.
- If you have children aged 0–12 months, each child is entitled to up to ten liters of water per week until they turn one year old. You can read more about this at the following link
- The accommodation and food service establishments can follow this link for information
- Complex choices for water purification - Longyearbyen Local Council External link.
- Measures to reduce manganese in drinking water - Longyearbyen Local Council External link.
Can the dog drink tap water?
Longyearbyen Local Government has obtained a statement from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute:
“Manganese (Mn) is very low in toxicity for animals, and the issue with significantly elevated levels of Mn in feed or drinking water would primarily be interference with the absorption/utilization of other minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. An approximately 10-fold increase in Mn in drinking water is therefore not considered a health concern for animals (dogs) in Svalbard. However, water with excessively high Mn content may be discolored (contaminated with soil), and could pose a taste or aesthetic issue, or potentially a microbiological concern.
The Veterinary Institute believes that this elevated level of Mn in drinking water is still safe to use for animals (dogs).”
Health-related questions?
Contact Longyearbyen Hospital: +47 76 17 33 00
Other questions?
Call Longyearbyen Local Council: 79 02 21 50
Updated