What effect do soft waters with a pH of less than 7 generally have on lead and copper?

What effect do soft waters with a pH of less than 7 generally have on lead and copper?

• A. They will be beneficial.
• B. They will be corrosive.
• C. They will have no effect.
• D. They will solidify metals.

Answer: (B)

Soft waters with a pH of less than 7 tend to be corrosive to metals, including lead and copper. This is because low pH levels indicate higher acidity, which can increase the solubility of certain metals in water. When water is more acidic, it has a greater capacity to dissolve minerals and metals found in pipes and plumbing systems. Lead and copper are particularly concerning because they can leach into drinking water through corrosion of pipes. This leaching can pose health risks to individuals consuming the contaminated water. Therefore, it’s critical for water treatment processes to maintain pH levels that minimize the corrosiveness of water to protect against metal leaching. The other options reflect different outcomes that are not accurate for soft waters with low pH. For instance, stating that they are beneficial or have no effect does not align with the known behavior of acidic waters towards metals. The idea that they would solidify metals is also incorrect, as the conditions presented would lead to dissolution rather than solidification.

Soft waters with a pH of less than 7 tend to be corrosive to metals, including lead and copper. This is because low pH levels indicate higher acidity, which can increase the solubility of certain metals in water. When water is more acidic, it has a greater capacity to dissolve minerals and metals found in pipes and plumbing systems.

Lead and copper are particularly concerning because they can leach into drinking water through corrosion of pipes. This leaching can pose health risks to individuals consuming the contaminated water. Therefore, it’s critical for water treatment processes to maintain pH levels that minimize the corrosiveness of water to protect against metal leaching.

The other options reflect different outcomes that are not accurate for soft waters with low pH. For instance, stating that they are beneficial or have no effect does not align with the known behavior of acidic waters towards metals. The idea that they would solidify metals is also incorrect, as the conditions presented would lead to dissolution rather than solidification.