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Plumbosolvency Control in Soft Waters
Author(s) -
Cardew P. T.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2002.tb00395.x
Subject(s) - control (management) , environmental science , parametric statistics , phosphate , lead (geology) , risk analysis (engineering) , environmental resource management , operations research , computer science , business , statistics , chemistry , engineering , mathematics , geology , organic chemistry , geomorphology , artificial intelligence
Experience of plumbosolvency control in the soft waters of north‐west England is presented, and expectations for complying with the new lead standards are indicated. The influence of natural organic matter on the solubility of lead is highlighted ‐ in particular its importance in the setting of target pH values in phosphated waters. An analysis of a large quantity of regulatory lead‐compliance data confirms the benefit of the introduction of phosphate. At a distribution zone level, the impact and benefit of a change in plumbosolvency conditions on regulatory data are demonstrated using a non‐parametric statistical technique. To assist in the operational management of plumbosolvency conditions, a number of performance metrics have been developed; these quantify (in a simple way), the quantity, variability and delivery of phosphate, and pH. The expected benefit from plumbosolvency control has been assessed in several ways, indicating that reasonable compliance against 25 μg/l might be achievable, but against 10 μg/l this is more questionable.