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Copper and Lead Corrosion in a Full Scale Home Plumbning system Simulation
Citation:
Radabaugh, Z., T. Werth, M. Kohne, AND D. Lytle. Copper and Lead Corrosion in a Full Scale Home Plumbning system Simulation. Presented at 10th Annual USEPA Drinking Water workshop Small Drinking Water Systems: Challenges and Solutions, Cininnati, OH, September 10 - 12, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public about the copper and lead corroision in plumbing systems.
Description:
The corrosion of household or premise plumbing materials (such as copper, brass, and solder) and the metal release that results from that corrosion can cause numerous problems, ranging from elevated lead and copper levels to blue water and copper pinhole leaks. If left untreated, these problems can lead to health and financial issues. Factors that may impact corrosion and metal release include plumbing configuration, plumbing materials, water temperature, plumbing age, and other factors. Blue water complaints as a result of suspended copper-containing particles have been associated with improperly grounded electrical systems, hot water recirculation systems, and “aggressive” waters. In addition to corrosion, the long residence time often associated with premise plumbing and reactivity of plumbing materials such as copper can impact disinfectant residual, biofilm, taste and odor, metal release, and other issues. To better understand and prevent premise plumbing issues, a home plumbing simulator was constructed and has been in operation and monitored for over one year to date. The results of this study will help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the drinking water industry to better understand the chemical and microbiological factors that influence the degredation of water quality in home plumbing systems, as well as new insights into the changes that plumbing goes through as it ages.
URLs/Downloads:
http://watermicroconference.web.unc.edu/
http://unc.edu/campus-updates/water-microbiology-conference-may-