WCW24

Corrosion in water infrastructure has been largely misunderstood by cites, designers and operators for decades. There are many ways to protect water infrastructure and those solutions can get jumbled and confusing. This presentation will get back to the science of what corrosion is and how it directly effects the most important resource. Many believe that the science of corrosion is simple. We put metal components in the ground, and they get broken down. This is a false and misleading narrative and can be confusing for professionals to fine the right solutions. Microbial and galvanic corrosion have different effects and properties. Moisture content, sulfides, redox, PH value, bi-metallic connections and stray currents all have an impact on how the metal components in water systems will be affected by corrosion. Corrosion in water systems can be stopped but first it must be understood. Prevention is also greatly misunderstood, there are several ways to stop corrosion but even more companies that provide them. This presentation will go through all the main corrosion prevention methods: bonded coatings, polyethylene encasement, cathodic protection and petrolatum tapes will all be discussed. Going through all the methods giving a background of science will shed light one a previously confusing subject. The waterworks industry will always use metal components this presentation will explain how to protect them for generations.