In this study, the corrosion resistance of commonly used plumbing materials was evaluated when three disinfection treatments were applied in hot water distribution systems. In particular copper, brass, stainless steel and galvanised steel were tested in environments containing monochloramine, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide disinfectants under real field conditions for a long period of time (1 year), in order to evaluate the effect of free corrosion on the metal specimens; chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) was tested in the same environments in order to evaluate the degradation of the mechanical properties of plastic specimens. The results obtained enabled us to rank the metallic materials corrosion resistance against disinfectants in decreasing order, as follows: stainless steel, copper and copper-based alloys, galvanised steel. CPVC samples proved to be extremely stable in all of the disinfectants investigated, maintaining the same compression behaviour of the pipes aged with untreated water after 12 months of exposure.
FerrantiGMarchesiIFavaleM. Aetiology, source and prevention of waterborne healthcare-associated infections: a review. J Med Microbiol. 1992; 63 (10): 1247–1259. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.075713-0
2.
FalkinhamJOIIIPrudenAEdwardsM.Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens: increasingly important pathogens in drinking water. Pathogens. 2015; 4: 373–386. doi: 10.3390/pathogens4020373
3.
LinYEStoutJEYuVL.Controlling Legionella in hospital drinking water: an evidence-based review of disinfection methods. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011; 32 (2): 166–173. doi: 10.1086/657934
4.
BorellaPBargelliniAMarchegianoP. Hospital-acquired Legionella infections: an update on the procedures for controlling environmental contamination. Ann Ig. 2016; 28 (2): 98–108.
5.
ZhangZStoutJEYuVL. Effect of pipe corrosion scales on chlorine dioxide consumption in drinking water distribution systems. Water Res. 2008; 42 (1-2): 129–136. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.07.054
6.
RhoadsWJPrudenAEdwardsMA.Anticipating challenges with in-building disinfection for control of opportunistic pathogens. Water Environ Res. 2014; 86 (6): 540–549. doi: 10.2175/106143014X13975035524989
7.
LytleDALiggettJ.Impact of water quality on chlorine demand of corroding copper. Water Res. 2016; 92: 11–21. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.01.032
8.
MarchesiIFerrantiGMansiA. Control of Legionella contamination and risk of corrosion in hospital water networks following various disinfection procedures. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2016; 82 (10): 2959–2965. doi: 10.1128/AEM.03873-15
9.
EisnorJDGagnonGA.Impact of secondary disinfection on corrosion in a model water distribution system. J Water Supply Res T. 2004; 53 (7): 441–452. doi: 10.2166/aqua.2004.0035
10.
ChordFFasciaPMallavalF. Chlorine dioxide for Legionella spp. disinfection: a danger for cross-linked polyethylene pipes?J Hosp Infect. 2011; 78 (3): 242–243. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2011.03.002
11.
GosarLDrevD.Contact with chlorinated water: selection of the appropriate steel. Mat Technol. 2011; 45 (6): 639–644.
12.
WoszczynskiMBergeseJGagnonGA.Comparison of chlorine and chloramines on lead release from copper pipe rigs. J Environ Eng. 2013; 139 (8): 1099–1107. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000712
13.
Castillo MontesJHamdaniFCreusJ. Impact of chlorinated disinfection on copper corrosion in hot water systems. Appl Surf Sci. 2014; 314: 686–696. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.07.069
14.
ZhuYWangHLiX. Characterization of biofilm and corrosion of cast iron pipes in drinking water distribution system with UV/Cl2 disinfection. Water Res. 2014; 60: 174–181. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.04.035
15.
RhoadsWJPrudenAEdwardsMA.Interactive effects of corrosion, copper, and chloramines on Legionella and mycobacteria in hot water plumbing. Environ Sci Technol. 2017; 51 (12): 7065–7075. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.6b05616
16.
TangMEdwardsM.Water chemistry impact on autogenous metallic pipe leak repair in simulated potable water systems. Corrosion. 2017; 73 (8): 1017–1029. doi: 10.5006/2442
17.
RoySEdwardsMA.Interactive effects of water chemistry, hydrodynamics, and precipitated calcium carbonate causing erosion corrosion of copper in hot water recirculation systems: case study and experimental work. Corrosion. 2018; 74 (11): 1288–1306. doi: 10.5006/2937
ASTM G1-03 Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens, ASTM standard, 2011.
20.
RonchiGKinsmanN.Reduction of corrosion induced leaks in municipal water systems through the use of corrugated stainless steel service pipe, Giornate Nazionali sulla Corrosione e Protezione (Milan, Italy: AIM, 2017).
CunatPJ.Corrosion resistance of stainless steels in soils and in concrete, Plenary Days of the Committee on the Study of Pipe Corrosion and Protection (Ceocor Biarritz, France: EUROINOX, 2001).
23.
NgDQChenCYLinYP.A new scenario of lead contamination in potable water distribution systems: galvanic corrosion between lead and stainless steel. Sci Total Environ. 2018; 637-638: 1423–1431. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.114
24.
RoySCoyneJMNovakJA. Flow-induced failure mechanisms of copper pipe in potable water systems. Corros Rev. 2018; 36: 449–481. doi: 10.1515/corrrev-2017-0120
25.
RoySSmithPAHouseGR. Cavitation and erosion corrosion resistance of nonleaded alloys in chlorinated potable water. Corrosion. 2019; 75: 424–435. doi: 10.5006/2939
26.
MunasingheTSAbayasekaraCLJayawardanaA. The effect of iron corrosion in cast iron pipes on the microbiological quality of drinking water: a laboratory and field investigation. Ceylon J Sci. 2017; 46 (2): 99–104. doi: 10.4038/cjs.v46i2.7434
27.
CampbellF.Fatigue and fracture: understanding the basics. Materials Park (OH): ASM International; 2012.
28.
ZhangLYuHYZhangG. Research progress of the impacts of plastic water supply piping to water safety. Journal of Safety and Environment. 2011; 11 (2): 158–161.
29.
HeimTHDietrichAM.Sensory aspects and water quality impacts of chlorinated and chloraminated drinking water in contact with HDPE and cPVC pipe. Water Res. 2007; 41 (4): 757–764. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2006.11.028
