Shelby, Iowa, is struggling with a significant water contamination issue after potassium permanganate — a chemical used to treat water — contaminated the city’s water supply, resulting in a pink discoloration. The problem began on September 8 when a malfunction in two of the city’s four wells caused an excessive amount of the chemical to mix with the water.
City officials initially assured residents that the water was “safe to drink and use.” However, just two days later, this assurance was retracted, and a “do not drink” advisory was issued due to elevated levels of manganese. Manganese is a naturally occurring substance, but when present in high concentrations, it can be harmful, especially to infants. Excessive manganese consumption is associated with potential developmental and behavioral issues in children.
Residents, including Kara Robinson, have reported significant issues with the water, describing it as having a metallic taste akin to “drinking straight pennies” and experiencing frequent brown discoloration due to high manganese levels. The city has provided free bottled water to affected households, but many residents feel this response is inadequate.
On September 15, city officials announced that the water was safe to drink again. Despite this, the incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the city’s water management and its ability to handle such emergencies. The situation has also created tension between the community and city officials, with many residents feeling their concerns are not being properly addressed.
