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AWWA ACE91008
- Corrosion and Metal Leaching
- Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 01/01/1991
- Publisher: AWWA
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This paper reviews some of the basic corrosion mechanisms that result in the dissolution of trace metals into drinking water and the potential sources of the metals in a water distribution system. Generally, corrosion mechanisms may be classified as follows: uniform or general corrosion, pitting, concentration cell, galvanic, dealloying, erosion-corrosion, and stray current. Trace metals that may be found in drinking water from corrosion are iron and iron alloys, copper and copper alloys, lead, and impurities from galvanized (zinc coated) steel; the sources of each group of trace metals are summarized. Time, temperature, surface area, and water volume affect metal leaching; the effect of each factor is briefly discussed. Water quality can be manipulated to decrease the corrosivity of water: pH, calcium carbonate solubility, and the use of additives, and silicates may help control corrosion.