Manganese is an essential nutrient. At high exposure levels, however, it is toxic. Industrial toxicology is probably well-develiped.

I am not really prepared to comment extensively on the toxicity. I do not know what forms of manganese are the problem and what the most problematic route of exposure is, ingested, inhaled, absorption through the skin. I have a vague memory that inhalation is a very problematic route resulting in transport to the brain and subsequent toxic effects. In that case, your prospective shower might be dangerous. I am afraid that the most meaningful advice that I can give is that if told that my water exceeded some acceptable limit, I would look into it carefully. It should not be difficult to find documents relating to the drinking water standards. You might expect to find dissent in what ever figure is decided on.

First, is you house supplied with city water or is it on a private well? If city water, you can obtain the city water report and see typical numbers. Those will vary somewhat from the water you see at your house, but will get you in the ballpark.

If well water (which I assume is the case since you made the house offer contingent upon water quality), since the house has not been occupied for several months, I would locate the faucet closest to the point where the water enters the house and sample there. Further, run the water for 20 minutes prior to taking the sample to flush the lines a bit.

Does the water come out clear from the faucet? If so, does it turn dark after sitting for 30 - 60 minutes?

You will not see health issues with the manganese level you have see so far. However, over time you may see the following:

1) Staining in toilets/sinks, showers.
2) Discoloration of laundry, particularly whites.
3) Cooked vegetables may be darker, unappetizing in appearance.
4) Alcoholic mixed drinks may darken and develop a metallic flavor.

Low levels of Manganese can be removed by a variety of methods, such as ion exchange softener, birm filter, pyrolox filter. If water taste is your only concern, a point-of-use RO will take care of it nicely. However, before you get to the point of deciding on treatment (if you purchase the house and decide treatment is necessary), get a comprehensive water test to see what else might be in your water. You shouldn't make treatment decisions without the whole picture. You want to know: pH, TDS, hardness, alkalinity, iron, manganese, sulfate, nitrate, bacterial count (plus viral if surface water).

Thank you for your replies.
Yes it is well water and the report was quite good all over to the exception of the manganese level. My real estate agent who is working with me in the purchasing of the house is not alarmed but I have written to the lab where the test was done and await their reply. I just want to make sure.

Anicee

Mine was tested as high a number of years ago. I just ran across the report. It says that it is not a health concern, just a staining concern. My water softener took out the stain problem. I wouldn't worry about it but you might want to get a water softener.