PINHOLE LEAKS IN COPPER WATER LINES
Some Fairhope homeowners are reporting a problem with leaking copper piping, necessitating expensive re-piping of their entire homes.
At a recent council meeting, resident Gary Gover said his 25 year old home's pipes were corroded and full of holes: " plumbers told me . . . have to replace whole darn water system." Gover wondered if there was a problem with Fairhope's water quality that could be affecting pipes.
A PROBLEM YEARS AGO
Councilman Mike Ford said it had been a problem in the past, and attributed it mostly to poor workmanship and defective copper piping.
Ford: "When we addressed that . . . the problem went away."
CORROSION INHIBITORS USED
Water Superintendent Dan McCrory said in the late 1980s the city began putting zinc orthophosphate in tap water to inhibit corrosion; but electrolysis and construction errors were possible causes as well.
McCrory said the Water Dept. tests for corrosion and is "keeping it as low as we can."
EPA SAYS WATER CHEMISTRY PLAYS KEY ROLE
In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency said their tests (click) had suggested "water chemistry plays a key role." (Water that is low in alkalinity and high ph (with presence of chloride) is particularly implicated.)
EPA: "Because copper pipe corrosion remains poorly understood . . . the EPA supports ongoing research."
Some Fairhope homeowners are reporting a problem with leaking copper piping, necessitating expensive re-piping of their entire homes.At a recent council meeting, resident Gary Gover said his 25 year old home's pipes were corroded and full of holes: " plumbers told me . . . have to replace whole darn water system." Gover wondered if there was a problem with Fairhope's water quality that could be affecting pipes.
A PROBLEM YEARS AGO
Councilman Mike Ford said it had been a problem in the past, and attributed it mostly to poor workmanship and defective copper piping.
Ford: "When we addressed that . . . the problem went away."
CORROSION INHIBITORS USED
Water Superintendent Dan McCrory said in the late 1980s the city began putting zinc orthophosphate in tap water to inhibit corrosion; but electrolysis and construction errors were possible causes as well.
McCrory said the Water Dept. tests for corrosion and is "keeping it as low as we can."
EPA SAYS WATER CHEMISTRY PLAYS KEY ROLE
In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency said their tests (click) had suggested "water chemistry plays a key role." (Water that is low in alkalinity and high ph (with presence of chloride) is particularly implicated.)
EPA: "Because copper pipe corrosion remains poorly understood . . . the EPA supports ongoing research."
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