WASA's Corrosion Control Performance

In addition to lead testing, WASA tests the water for other parameters that could indicate the performance of the corrosion control treatment. Two key parameters are pH and orthophosphate.

Water becomes corrosive at lower pH values (<7.0 pH units). In addition, the corrosion treatment chemical added to the water (orthophosphate) works best at a pH range of 7.0 to 8.0. The Washington Aqueduct, who treats the water, is required to maintain a pH leaving the plant between 7.4 and 8.0. WASA monitors for pH in the distribution system daily to ensure these levels stay within the optimum range for orthophosphate. WASA also set a more stringent range of 7.4 to 7.8 to target in the distribution system.

During the initial phase of the corrosion control treatment experts recommended a higher dose of orthophosphate—3.5 mg/L. Once the orthophosphate formed a protective layer on the pipe scales, the dose was reduced to 2.5 mg/L leaving the plant. WASA set a range of 1.0 to 4.5 mg/L orthophosphate to target in the distribution system.

The graphs below shows the maximum, average, and minimum results for pH on a monthly basis and orthophosphate on a quarterly basis, over the past year collected at compliance monitoring sites in WASA’s distribution system. The top and bottom of the lines represents the maximum and minimum values. The black dash in the middle of the line represents the average value.

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