Lake Michigan Utility Tackles Corrosion Control

Abstract

This article discusses a testing program initiated by a Lake Michigan water utility to study the occurrence of an aluminum‐phosphate compound in its distribution system, and to examine strategies to control it while maintaining optimized lead levels. Experimental methods included continuous feeding of pipe‐loop systems, using a programmable controller, at a predetermined constant flow rate for 16 hours, followed by eight hours of no flow to simulate stagnant conditions. To reduce aluminum levels in the finished water, phosphoric acid was fed at the rapid mix to combine with the residual aluminum. Data is provided on the typical raw and finished water quality, which demonstrate the reduction of aluminum and phosphate levels to minimize deposition.

A literature review of bench top and pilot lead corrosion assessment studies

“…As a result, many studies may have been performed through the years, which may not have been published in peer‐reviewed journals or elsewhere to be incorporated here. Limited information was available in some conference proceedings as well as utility reports on studies that used similar setups to the studies published in peer‐reviewed journals using LSLs (Atassi et al, 2004; Atassi & Putz, 2010; Boyd et al, 2007; Cantor, 2008; Ingels & Poncelet‐Johnson, 2020; Kwan et al, 2006; Welter et al, 2015; Wysock et al, 1995), copper pipes with lead solder (Doubrough, 2009), and galvanized iron pipes (McFadden et al, 2009) as well as new plumbing faucets and new/used water meters containing leaded brass (Maynard et al, 2008).…”