As a precaution, it is recommended to avoid drinking discoloured water, or using discoloured water to prepare food or infant formula.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) in consultation with Island Health has issued a water quality advisory for the Wilderness Mountain Water Service Area due to elevated concentrations of manganese. The water quality advisory is in effect for the entire service area. This is in addition to the Boil Water Advisory issued on October 14, 2025.
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.
Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is present throughout the environment and can normally be found in many surface and groundwater sources. Frequently, as observed at Wilderness Mountain, episodes of high manganese concentrations can be a seasonal occurrence. Manganese is an essential nutrient and consuming a small amount of manganese is necessary to maintain overall health. Until recently, elevated levels of manganese in drinking water were not considered a health risk and were only viewed as an aesthetic concern. The latest science now associates high concentrations of manganese in drinking water with health issues in infants (birth-1 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.
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 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. The Capital Regional District is working on strategies to improve the water treatment at Wilderness Mountain.
For more information on the impacts of manganese in drinking water, please refer to the frequently asked questions attached below. For updates, please visit www.crd.ca/alerts.
For health-related questions, please contact Island Health Environmental Public Health Services at 250.519.3401 or Gateway_Office@islandhealth.ca.
