AWWA JAW3812

The threat that corrosion caused by aggressive water poses to public health as well as distribution system integrity is gaining increased recognition. The extent and severity of the problem on a national scale have, however, been difficult to assess. A recent nationwide survey of representative water utilities serving one fifth of the U.S. population has provided data indicating that almost 70 percent supply moderately to highly aggressive water. Analysis of the water quality data also shows that the readily calculated aggressiveness index gives good correlation with the better known Langelier saturation index as an indicator of corrosive potential. Correlations are also being made between metal concentration changes and the aggressiveness index of the utility water. Includes 10 references, tables, figures.