AWWA JAW71768

Nitrification can have a range of effects on the corrosion of different pipe materials. Previous research has reported possible links between certain corrosion problems and nitrification, but there are very few studies directly quantifying this link, and only a few pipe materials have been examined. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of nitrification on a wide range of pipe materials and the possible mechanisms by which nitrification affects corrosion. This research found that nitrification can increase lead release by reducing pH, but had no effect on corrosion of concrete pipe, and actually decreased zinc release from galvanized iron pipe by reducing dissolved oxygen levels. Although there are instances in which nitrification influenced contamination of water by lead and copper pipe, and it is believed that nitrification can sometimes hasten certain corrosion processes, in general the affects of nitrification on distribution systems was slight. Includes 40 references, tables, figures.