The investment made in water distribution system piping and service lines and in building plumbing totals many billions of dollars. The decay and disintegration of America's public works facilities is a popular topic now. Although the situation may not be so drastic for water utilities as it is for roads and bridges, water utilities must not neglect their investment. Corrosion control can prolong the life of water mains and plumbing. The water utility laboratory has a key role in testing water quality to assess its corrosive nature, in evaluating pipes and plumbing for effects of corrosion, in testing corrosion control strategies for their efficacy, and in monitoring the dose of corrosion inhibitor applied to the water in a corrosion control program. The laboratory analyst is encouraged to recognize this role and to be active in promoting corrosion control.