Characterization of Scale Deposits in a Drinking Water Network in a Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

The quantity and quality of the supply of fresh water to households, commercial areas, small industries, green spaces irrigation and public and private institutions in large cities face challenges from the supply sources availability and suitable distribution network performance to the full satisfaction of the established drinking water guidelines. In Mexico, the main source of water comes from groundwater. Most of the Mexican aquifers are located in arid and semi-arid weather conditions. The groundwater’s physical–chemical properties are closely related to geology. This study was carried out at the north-central part of the country in which igneous and sedimentary rocks predominate, with high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations. The accumulation of CaCO3 in the pipelines is also known as scale deposit that decreases the fluid flow, causing a deficiency in the water supply. The main objectives of this study were determining the physical–chemical groundwater parameters and saturation indexes injected into the drinking water networks and characterizing the scale deposits by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the scale deposits are mainly calcium carbonate and silica oxide crystals, caused by the water aggressiveness according to the saturation indexes and the lack of control over the saturation pH.

Impact of the surface aging of potable water plastic pipes on their lead deposition characteristics

“…However, the detachment of particulate manganese was found to be less in iron pipes due to their roughness compared to PVC pipes. 37 A study conducted by González et al (2022) solely focused on the physiochemical properties of water that result in CaCO 3 scale formation on PVC pipes. However, the role of the pipe surface characteristics in the scale formation process has not been discussed.…”

“…However, the role of the pipe surface characteristics in the scale formation process has not been discussed. 38 A study conducted by Ketrane and Yahiaoui (2021) showed that CaCO 3 scale forms more in the aqueous phase than on the surface of HDPE pipes. However, no mechanistic discussion is provided on the role of plastic pipes in providing nucleation sites.…”

New Chemical Systems for the Removal of Calcareous Encrustations on Monumental Fountains: A Case Study of the Nymphaeum of Cerriglio

“…This study starts with the encrustations that are present on the basal part of Cerriglio's nymphaeum, characterized by the simultaneous presence of calcium and silicon compounds, to test the effectiveness of traditional and innovative chelant agents to remove the "calcareous" encrustations. The precipitation of silicon and calcium compounds can induce the formation of hydraulic compounds that are more stable than CaCO 3 [23][24][25][26].…”

Advances in Leakage Control and Energy Consumption Optimization in Drinking Water Distribution Networks

“…Humans, since their origin, have developed their existence in the environment of rivers, lakes or springs from which to obtain water. Over the course of time, taking into account its importance for the development of societies and their economy, humans have developed water purification systems that allow its consumption and have channeled it through piping systems capable of transporting water under pressure to the different urban areas [1][2][3].…”