Seasonal Fluctuations in Nitrate Levels Can Trigger Lead Solder Corrosion Problems in Drinking Water.

ABSTRACT: After a utility switched its source water from ground to surface water in 2017, first draw water lead levels spiked due to increased lead solder corrosion that could not be explained by existing knowledge. When lead release was not adequately reduced with a 90:10 orthophosphate/polyphosphate corrosion inhibitor blend or even high levels of 100% orthophosphate, an in-depth investigation of possible causes revealed a strong correlation between 90th percentile lead and seasonal fluctuations in surface water nitrate levels. Complementary bench-scale studies that tested new copper coupons with lead solder and harvested pipes from a worst case home verified a strong relationship between nitrate and elevated lead. Lead release in the presence of nitrate became increasingly erratic with time, resu

SUBMITTER: Lopez KG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9835880 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature