Controlling lead and copper corrosion and sequestering of iron and manganese
- Black and Veatch, Cambridge, MA (United States)
- Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
With the recently enacted Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), many utilities are faced with the conflict of meeting the requirements of the Rule and controlling aesthetic problems caused by source water iron and manganese. The most common approach for utilities to control ``red and black water`` is to add a polyphosphate based compound. However, the higher pH required for control of lead and copper solubility reduces the effectiveness of polyphosphate to sequester iron and manganese. There is also the threat that polyphosphate may complex lead and copper and increase their concentration. An alternative treatment approach, sodium silicate addition, was evaluated at medium sized water system with elevated source water iron (0.30--2.27 mg/L) and manganese (0.11--0.27 mg/L). The goal of the study was to examine the viability of sodium silicate to simultaneously control red water complaints, and reduce lead and copper concentrations. Samples for a wide range of water quality parameters were collected before initiating treatment (5 months) and after treatment to gauge the effectiveness of the approach.
- OSTI ID:
- 82766
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940789--; ISBN 0-7844-0031-8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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