Effects of Temperature on Corrosion and Bacterial Growth in Water Distribution Pipes

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of pipe materials and water temperature on bacterial water quality and corrosion rate. Four kinds of domestic manufactured pipes (carbon steel, galvanized, copper and stainless steel) were used in this experiment. This investigation was carried out at two different temperatures of 30 and 40 °C for 1 year exposure with tap water supplied to Seoul, Korea. Pipe materials and temperature conditions influenced bacterial activity for the attached and suspended microorganism. Biofilm activity was ranked in the order of stainless steel, carbon steel, galvanized and copper pipe. Stainless steel pipe was shown to have the highest bacterial population measured in Seoul tap water by evaluating the heterotrophic plate count (HPC). The corrosion rate of galvanized pipe at 40 °C was 3.3 times higher than that at 30 °C.