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How to Prevent Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Pipes
Citation:
Tang, M., R. Fields, Helen Y. Buse, D. Lytle, M. Schock, S. Harmon, A. Kireta, Jr., AND S. Triantafyllidou. How to Prevent Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Pipes. OPFLOW. American Water Works Association, Denver, CO, 47(7):20-23, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/opfl.1574
Impact/Purpose:
Copper corrosion is a relevant regulatory, public health, and infrastructure integrity issue that impacts most drinking water systems. In water, copper can corrode in uniform and non-uniform ways that ultimately can lead to elevated copper tap water levels. High copper levels can cause elevated tap water levels, metallic taste, “blue water”, multiple health effects such as Wilson’s disease and intestinal distress across all age groups, staining of plumbing, and pipe failure. These issues usually come with a significant economic cost for property owners, of which a better understanding may help them address.
Description:
Copper in water is a function of many factors, including plumbing age, water quality, hydraulics, temperature, and microbial activities. This article focuses on the impacts of plumbing age, water pH, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), orthophosphate, and microbial activities on copper levels associated with copper uniform corrosion, along with practical evaluation strategies.
