Corrosion and Scaling Potential in Drinking Water Distribution of Babol, Northern Iran Based on the Scaling and Corrosion Indices

Background & Aims of the Study: Corrosion and scaling play undesirable effects ontransmission and distribution system of drinking water. The aim of this study was to assessthe corrosion and scaling potential of drinking water resources in Babol city, Iran.Materials and Methods: Totally, 54 water samples were collected from 27 wells in springand autumn. Calcium hardness, pH, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and temperaturewere measured, using standard methods. The Langelier, Rayzner, Puckhorius, Larson andaggressive indices were calculated and data were analyzed by SPSS 19. To compare themean values of each index, the results were analyzed using t-test.Results: The range of temperature, pH, TDS, total alkalinity and calcium hardness were16-24°c; 6.8-7.89; 445-1331 mg/l; 322.9-396 mg/l and 250.50-490 mg/l, respectively. Themean of Langelier and Ryznar indices in drinking water samples in spring and autumn was0.14, 0.15; 7.28 and 7.35, respectively. The mean of Puckhorius and Larson indices in theseseasons was 11.9, 11.95 and 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. The mean of aggressive index was6.17 and 6.27, respectively. Overall, 82.2%, 100%, 94.6%, 100% and 85.7% of watersamples were corrosive based on the Langelier, Ryznar, Puckhorius, Larson and aggressiveindices, respectively.Conclusion: According to these results, drinking water of Babol city has corrosionpotential. Therefore, the water quality should be controlled based on pH, alkalinity andhardness parameters, along with the use of corrosion resisting materials and pipes indrinking water distribution systems.

Keywords:

CorrosionScalingCorrosion IndicesDrinking waterIran