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Chloride‐to‐sulfate mass ratio and lead leaching to water
Author(s) -
Edwards Marc,
Triantafyllidou Simoni
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2007.tb07984.x
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , sulfate , chloride , lead (geology) , water treatment , environmental science , chemistry , potable water , environmental engineering , environmental chemistry , metallurgy , materials science , geology , geomorphology , soil science , soil water
Experimental tests and utilities' practical experience highlighted the importance of chloride‐to‐sulfate mass ratio (CSMR) in the control of lead leaching to potable water. The effect of higher CSMR was demonstrated in bench‐scale experiments using brass coupons and lead solder‐copper pipe joints, with the amount of lead leaching to water increasing by factors of 1.2–2.7 and 2.3–40.0, respectively. Anion exchange treatment, a switch in coagulant type, and other seemingly innocuous treatment steps can result in significant changes in CSMR. Practical data collected at three US utilities confirmed that alterations in CSMR can trigger serious lead contamination incidents.