MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Water Utility released test results on manganese levels on Thursday, bolstering its position that the city's water supply is safe.

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The new numbers are from the city's ongoing study of the metal manganese in the three highest-producing city water wells.

The news comes as even more bottled-water companies reach out to concerned utility customers, and the utility dispensed cash payments to dozens in a limited bottled-water advisory for Wells 3 and 10.

But utility officials are touting the latest manganese tap tests in three well areas. They said that with 40 percent of the samples in, the majority -- 94 percent -- are below the Environmental Protection Agency's aesthetic standard for color/odor of 50 parts per billion.

So far, 6 percent are above the color/odor standard but below the health advisory limit. Officials said only .7 percent, or four tests, are greater than the 300 parts per billion health advisory guideline.

David Denig-Chakroff, the manager of the Madison Water Utility, said that even repeat testing of the highest hour came back at safe levels.

"I think it's showing what we hoped, that essentially at the tap at people's households we are seeing low levels of manganese, even during the flushing program," Denig-Chakroff said.

The manganese home samples are a mixture of before and during hydrant flushing in the three troubled well areas.

But some said they aren't entirely convinced, and bottled water companies are making the most of the situation.

Neenah Springs/Great Glacier Bottled Water Company, based in Oxford, Wis., took out a half-page newspaper ad telling those worried about Madison's water to try theirs.

"Obviously, there are people who are switching to the bottled water, and we wanted to get our name out," said the president of the company.

Neenah Springs already had 2,400 Madison customers, and now it has one more -- partly because of utility concerns.

At UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, staffers have decided to kick in $30 a month to get a water cooler.

"We just thought it would be a good idea to be a little healthier, to start using the bottled water," said Rachel Rodriguez, executive director of UNIDOS.

Denig-Chakroff said the utility will continue to put out the message that its water is "clean and safe."

He said the one remaining concern is for infants and people with liver problems in Well areas 3 and 10.

People in those areas have been advised to drink bottled water only. So far, 35 individuals have qualified for $1,000 reimbursements from the utility. Others continue to pay for their bottled water out of pocket, WISC-TV reported.