Understand Galvanized Water Pipes

　　Master the Fundamentals of Galvanized Water Pipes
Are you informed about the elements that make up your water pipes and their implications for safety? Galvanized pipes, which are coated with zinc, are commonly viewed as a safe option for conveying drinking water. However, potential health risks can emerge if the water is acidic and corrosive. Water suppliers often treat water to avoid corrosion, addressing concerns for users connected to public water systems. The real issue is not the leaching of zinc or iron from the pipes but the possibility of lead and cadmium contamination, which can occur during the galvanizing process. The allowable levels for these heavy metals in drinking water are 0.015 mg/L for lead and 0.005 mg/L for cadmium. If your private well system employs galvanized pipes and the water has a bitter taste, it’s wise to conduct a water test, as private wells are more susceptible to contamination. High zinc levels, above 5 mg/L, may cause bitterness but do not pose a health risk. The EPA has set a secondary contaminant level for zinc at 5 mg/L due to its impact on taste. Assessing and managing contaminants require evaluating various corrosion factors, including material type, plumbing age, water stagnation time, and pH, which all uniquely affect metal leaching. Lead is used as a corrosion control agent in water distribution systems, with action levels established for residential and non-residential buildings to trace and decrease lead concentration. Residential monitoring looks at lead in both distribution systems and home plumbing, whereas non-residential monitoring focuses on lead within the building. The consequences of corrosion on health and distribution systems are diverse. Corrosion can happen in different materials and may enhance the leaching of contaminants. While direct measurement of corrosion is difficult, tap water lead levels can signal its occurrence. Although corrosion isn’t directly connected to health effects, it can dislodge hazardous contaminants like lead, prompting corrosion control initiatives. The health-based guideline for lead, particularly concerning children, is 0.010 mg/L. Other contaminants, including copper and iron, which are released through corrosion, are regulated based on their aesthetic impact, with copper’s limit set at 1.0 mg/L and iron at 0.3 mg/L. If zinc concentration surpasses 1.0 mg/L, be cautious of possible cadmium and lead contamination, typically a sign of galvanized pipe corrosion. Groundwater zinc levels are usually below 0.1 mg/L. Should levels be elevated, test your water for lead and cadmium using a sample taken from the plumbing system after six hours of stagnation. The best course of action is to reduce the corrosive nature of the water source.