Zap the Lead Problem: Cost-effective and Immediate Electrochemical Pipe Scale Accelerator

Abstract

The Electrochemical Pipe Scale Accelerator (EPSA) rapidly reduces lead (Pb) concentration in water by up to 99% by electroplating an insoluble and non-conductive lead phosphate or aluminum oxide scale. Twenty-Two million Americans, 120 million Europeans, and 500,000 Canadian households are at risk of lead-contaminated water. Unfortunately, traditional scale passivation can take up to years to form and deteriorate under a chemical change in water (Flint, Michigan, 2014). Replacing pipes can be expensive, costing $250/foot, and the U.S. government up to 47 billion dollars to replace all pipes. The objective was to engineer a low-cost and rapid device that could reduce Pb concentration below the “Lead and Copper rule.