I’ve been drinking tap water all my life and I have to wonder: Tap water pipes have a lifespan of 50 years, without any regular cleaning and maintenance. I have to clean my aquarium every week and even after cleaning it I wouldn’t drink from it. I know light and air play it’s role, but still, 50 years? Is the inside of the pipes really staying that clean or is it that the dirt in there doesn’t really bother us?
In: Engineering
Most water systems are required to implement corrosion control. Use of a phosphate chemical that both coat and sequester metals in the water. Ph/alkalinity are also implemented. Biofilms are generally not wanted and a problem in the summer months. Hydraulic swings in flow can cause slothing away. Also can cause a big chlorine demand but im no expert on biofilms. Will read the other post on how its good in drinking water. Contrary to believe that water is always moving it really depends where your tap is. We have night time flushers that go around at night and open up hydrants in the “dead” spots. We also are constantly testing the chlorine residual in the tanks and will take them out of service and shock treat the tank with high free chlorine to reduce the biofilm. Each system is different and has its own unique chemistry. Any change has to be taken very seriously. Like Flint they changed source water and I dont believe they used any phosphate for corrosion control. Google langelier index corrosivity. Also, I work at a treatment plant but am no expert on the distribution system.
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