Effect of stagnation period and flow rate on soluble and particulate Pb leaching in copper pipe water distribution systems

Abstract

Extremely high lead level in tap water caused by particulates has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Despite extensive research on the role of particulate Pb in water supply systems with lead service lines, little information is available on the role of particulate Pb in copper (Cu) water distribution systems. In this study, the dissolved, colloidal, and particulate lead and copper concentrations in representative prototype copper pipe water distribution systems with leaded solder joints and brass fixtures are measured. The effects of flow rate and stagnation time on metal fractionation are investigated. For each experimental scenario, all the water that stagnated inside the system is sampled to have a comprehensive understanding of lead contamination. Sampled at flow rates of 200–250 mL/s, the soluble lead and copper make up 60–96 % of the total concentration in the samples after hours of stagnation. More than half of the Pb and Cu particles are larger than 0.8 μm. Higher flow rates result in substantial increases in particulate metal concentrations but have no apparent effect on dissolved metals. The soluble and particulate copper concentrations (∼ 100–250 μg/L) both increase with stagnation time. For the case of Pb, while the particulate concentration increases (up to ∼ 40 μg/L after 12 h), the soluble concentration does not change significantly beyond 4 h; this can be attributed to the different solubilities of Pb (∼ 20 μg/L) and Cu (∼ 200 μg/L) in tap water. The results also show that particulates suspended by clean “once through” water (without prior stagnation) can lead to high levels of Pb contamination (> 10 μg/L).