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Investigating why orthoP fails to reduce Pb in partial lead service lines: Digging the answer in the scales
Citation:
Doré, E., M. DeSantis, M. Schock, E. Deshommes, S. Nour, L. Laroche, AND M. Prevost. Investigating why orthoP fails to reduce Pb in partial lead service lines: Digging the answer in the scales. AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, November 11 - 14, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Orthophosphate addition is a common corrosion control treatment used by utilities to lower Pb concentrations at the tap, as it forms phosphate-based scales in lead service lines (LSLs). Results from this pilot study showed the effectiveness of orthoP to lower Pb concentrations in full LSLs, but not in simulated partial LSLs. This has important implications for the selection of treatment strategies, which may need to be altered depending on whether a water system has lead service lines or not. It also is important in suggesting that the treatment approach that works on LSLs alone, may need modification if a water system does not do full LSL replacements.
Description:
Orthophosphate addition is a common corrosion control treatment used by utilities to lower Pb concentrations at the tap, as it forms phosphate-based scales in lead service lines (LSLs). Results from this pilot study showed the effectiveness of orthoP to lower Pb concentrations in full LSLs, but not in simulated partial LSLs. In the galvanic zones, only traces of lead phosphates were present, whereas it was better incorporated in the scales in full LSLs. As the industry is increasing the use of orthoP to lower Pb concentrations, it is important to understand how this corrosion inhibitor reacts in legacy and new partial LSLs.