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The Impact of Chloride, Sulfate, and Bicarbonate on Iron Release from an Old Iron Pipe
Citation:
LYTLE, D. A. The Impact of Chloride, Sulfate, and Bicarbonate on Iron Release from an Old Iron Pipe. Presented at AWWA Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 07 - 11, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
To share information
Description:
“Colored water” describes the appearance of drinking water that contains suspended particulate iron where the actual suspension color may range from light yellow to red due to water chemistry and particle properties. This iron can originate from the source water and from distribution system materials. The release of iron from distribution system materials such as cast iron water mains is a complex process which involves mass transfer and many interactions. These interactions have been studied by many and include corrosion, reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions, precipitation, dissolution, solid phase reactions and microbiological activity. Many drinking water distribution systems experience changes in water quality due to factors including seasonal variability, blending zones, and source water changes. Therefore, the impact of certain water quality variables on iron release is important to understand. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of two water quality parameters, chloride and sulfate, separately and in collaboration, on the release of iron from an old cast iron pipe section removed from a drinking water distribution system and to study the properties of the resulting suspensions.