Sough City, Iran, faces significant challenges concerning the quality of drinking water as indicated by recent findings surrounding corrosion and calcium carbonate sedimentation within its distribution network. A comprehensive study conducted over the span of over eleven years assessed multiple water sources and determined various physicochemical parameters affecting water stability.
The research, involving detailed analyses of samples from six wells and several water storage reservoirs within Sough City, revealed pressing problems linked to water quality deterioration manifesting through sedimentation and corrosion. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), prevalent due to the area’s limestone geology, emerged as the principal sediment contributing to these issues.
Corrosion is fundamentally understood as a physicochemical process occurring through interactions between metals and their environmental surroundings. The study utilized various indices including the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Saturation Index (RSI), Pokurious Saturation Index (PSI), and Aggressive Index (AI) to quantify the corrosiveness and potential for sediment formation within the water distribution system.
Analysis of the data collected throughout the years 2006 to 2017 allowed researchers to establish baseline correlations between water quality parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and calcium hardness among others. The average values recorded indicated slight corrosiveness and moderate sedimentation tendencies within the water supply sources.
Of note, the analysis revealed mean indices of -0.59 for LSI, highlighting slight corrosiveness, and 8.48 for RSI, which depicts moderate corrosiveness—a concerning trend as corrosive water could potentially leach harmful heavy metals from pipelines, posing public health risks. Conversely, the mean pH level at 7.8 underlines the capacity for CaCO3 deposition, especially during warmer months when pH levels slightly increased to 8.5.
Interestingly, the investigation uncovered correlations between sedimentation and rising temperatures. Increased thermal conditions within the delivery systems are responsible for diminishing the solubility of calcium carbonate, leading to enhanced precipitation on pipe walls. The environmental temperatures recorded at levels exceeding 48 degrees Celsius contributed to this effect and formed the basis for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment options.
There was also emphasis on alternative methods to address sediment buildup, particularly the use of innovative magnetic field treatments which were trialed to mitigate deposits within water systems. These static anti-scaling devices showed promising results, with significant reduction of CaCO3 deposits observed three years post-implementation. "Using innovative magnetic field treatments has shown promise for reducing sediment build-up, potentially enhancing water distribution efficiency,” highlighted the study’s authors.
Overall, the research called attention to the pressing need for consistent monitoring of water distribution systems and the impacts of environmental factors on sedimentation and corrosion rates. Only proactive management of water quality can safeguard public health interests and maintain the integrity of water supply infrastructure.
The results of this study serve as not only a baseline for Sough City but also indicate avenues for deploying more resilient water management strategies through sustainable practices and advanced technologies.