The EPA Lead and Copper Rule set action limits for lead and copper concentrations in drinking water, but accelerated corrosion of lead in distribution systems due to a galvanic connection to copper. Prior research has demonstrated that the effects of galvanic corrosion can be controlled by water chemistry. This study not only investigated the main effects of alkalinity, natural organic matter (NOM), nitrate, disinfectant and inhibitor to galvanic corrosion, but also the interplay between these factors. A 2-level factorial (2v5-1) design was adopted which resulted in 16 testing conditions. Results of bench-scale experiments using static pipes with lead and copper segments demonstrated that alkalinity, disinfectant, inhibitor and alkalinity-inhibitor interaction had a significant impact on galvanic current. The significant factors affecting total lead release were alkalinity, NOM, disinfectant, alkalinity-inhibitor interaction, NOM-nitrate interaction, NOM-disinfectant interaction, NOM-inhibitor interaction, nitrate-disinfectant interaction and disinfectant-inhibitor interaction.

The EPA Lead and Copper Rule set action limits for lead and copper concentrations in drinking water, but accelerated corrosion of lead in distribution systems due to a galvanic connection to copper. Prior research has demonstrated that the effects of galvanic corrosion can be controlled by water chemistry. This study not only investigated the main effects of alkalinity, natural organic matter (NOM), nitrate, disinfectant and inhibitor to galvanic corrosion, but also the interplay between these factors. A 2-level factorial (2v5-1) design was adopted which resulted in 16 testing conditions. Results of bench-scale experiments using static pipes with lead and copper segments demonstrated that alkalinity, disinfectant, inhibitor and alkalinity-inhibitor interaction had a significant impact on galvanic current. The significant factors affecting total lead release were alkalinity, NOM, disinfectant, alkalinity-inhibitor interaction, NOM-nitrate interaction, NOM-disinfectant interaction, NOM-inhibitor interaction, nitrate-disinfectant interaction and disinfectant-inhibitor interaction.