Flint, Michigan’s Water Emergency Should Be A Wake-up Call for Everyone! Should Be A Call For Action!

Having a Spring Water Company and being a “student” of water I learned this past year that "Acidic Water + Aging Pipes=Lead!". The following is a more detailed explanation about TOXIC Metals in many waters across the US. (It is not just acidic water either.) I BELIEVE FLINT’S WATER PROBLEM IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE! PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!

Physical Corrosion is the result of the reactions between the water and metal surfaces and materials in which the water is stored or transported. The process is a reaction that returns refined or processed metals to their ore state. The corrosion potential of YOUR tap water in municipal water systems and your home in the US is HUGE! The primary concern is your health with the presence of TOXIC Metals in the water, such as lead and copper among others including aluminum, chromium and zinc. The primary source of the lead includes the use of lead pipes, lead lined tanks, and use of lead/tin solder. The primary source of copper is the leaching of copper from the municipal system or household piping used to convey the water.

Corrosion will occur anywhere a galvanic cell or field can be or has established. To establish the field all that is needed is two dissimilar metals that are connected directly or indirectly by an electrolyte, such as water. This is the same chemical reaction that occurs within a battery. Nearly all metals will corrode to some degree. The rate and extent of the corrosion depend on the degree of dissimilarity of the metals and the physical and chemical characteristics of the media (water), metal, and environment. In water that is soft, corrosion occurs because of the lack of dissolved cations, such as calcium and magnesium in the water. Water with high levels of sodium, chloride, or other ions will increase the conductivity of the water and promote corrosion. Corrosion can also be accelerated by:

1) Low pH (acidic water) and high pH (alkaline water) - For high alkalinity water - it is possible that a chemical scale may form that would help to protect against corrosion, but if a bacteria becomes established the scale, such as sulfur reducing bacteria, you may experience a problem related to Microbiologically Induced Corrosion.
2) high flow rate within the piping can cause physical corrosion;
3) high water temperature can increase biological rate of growth and chemical corrosion;
4) oxygen and dissolved CO2 or other gasses can induce corrosion,
5) high dissolved solids, such as salts and sulfates, can induce chemical or bio-chemical corrosion;
6) corrosion related bacteria, high standard plate counts, and electrochemical corrosion can result in pinhole leaks and isolated corrosion and aesthetic water quality problems,  and
7) presence of suspended solids, such as sand, sediment, corrosion by-products, and rust can aid in physical corrosion and damage and facilitate chemical and biochemical corrosion. As corrosive water stands or seats in pipes or tanks, it leaches metals from the piping, tanks, well casing, or other metal surfaces that water is in contact.

There are no regulations in many other states that require private water wells or individual water wells or springs to be tested or treated for corrosive water.  In many states, it is not necessary or even suggested to test private wells for toxic metal, pathogenic organisms, or organic chemicals.  

It is important to keep in mind that the corrosiveness of the water can be increased by the installation of water softeners, aeration devices, increasing hot water temperatures, chlorinating the water, turbid or fine sediment, and improper matching of metal pipes. Some water treatment equipment such as softeners and aeration systems can aggravate corrosion. Softeners remove the protective calcium and magnesium and introduce highly conductive sodium into the water. Aeration devices for iron, sulfur or odor removal add oxygen, which is extremely corrosive in water. Higher water temperatures and suspended materials accelerate the rate of corrosion by increasing the reaction rates or causing physical damage to the pipes. Chlorine is a strong powerful oxidant which can promote corrosion.

All regulated community water systems are required to monitor their levels of lead and copper, with samples being taken from cold water taps in consumers' homes. Water systems with levels of lead or copper in excess of the action levels should be required to implement corrosion control procedures. 

Information for this article was taken from various sources including the “Water Research Center”.