A new potable Medical Facility and cooling water supply experienced corrosion in the drinking water supply distribution system. The most serious form of corrosion (iron corrosion) occurred in the unlined steel main to the Medical Facility. The result was that water from most any fixture in the new building had some degree of red (rust) color to it. Despite efforts to prevent corrosion by adding a zinc phosphate corrosion inhibitor, some corrosion persisted because of low flow in portions of the system and the aggressive water supply. There was no need to replace any of the existing steel piping, as corrosion of the existing steel piping was minimal. However, the corrosion required immediate action. The chosen solution for preventing additional corrosion in the potable water steel main and cooling water supply was to apply an epoxy coating on the water side surfaces of the steel piping. The epoxy coating formed a protective barrier to prevent the water from contacting the steel surface.
KEYWORDS Epoxy Pipe Coating, Dealloying, Lead, Copper