Release of Metals from Different Sections of Domestic Drinking Water Installations

Abstract

Different metals can leach from piping materials into the tap water, which can be of health concern. This study investigated in which amount abundant metals were released from different parts of domestic installations into the cold tap water. For the approximate spatial allocation of the metal releasing sources, a sequential water sampling protocol was used after three hours of stagnation time representing the first five litre of the water column. After stagnation ten sample volumes were collected in series. Existing facilities of domestic installations constructed with different plumbing materials were examined predominantly from residential buildings. The elements Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, U and Zn were detected by means of ICP-MS. In total 16 water pipe strands of 11 domestic installation systems were examined. They comprised 401 single water samples and 5,614 single parameters. Depending upon the type of plumbing, different courses and concentration ranges of the elements could be measured in the tap water samples. Terminal taps or installation parts were in all investigated systems responsible for a release of nickel and in several cases of low concentrations of cadmium. The concentration courses of the element zinc proved as a good indicator for the allocation of the metal source to a brass containing section of the installation (zinc as an alloy component of brass). One can conclude that sequential water sampling protocol in combination with multi-element detection can be a valuable non-destructive method for drinking water-hygienic investigations of domestic installations.

Evaluation of Changes in Lead Levels in Drinking Water Due to Replacement of Water Mains: A Comprehensive Study in Chicago, Illinois

“…Elevated Pb levels in full and partial profile sampling, generally in the 3 rd to 10 th L sample, have been shown previously. As examples: 30 homes in Montreal, Canada sampled after a short (15 min) stagnation period showed peaks in mostly 5 th L samples in single-family homes, and in 4 th and 7 th L samples in 11 semi-detached and two-family homes; 45 sites in Halifax, Canada sampled after 6 h stagnation averaged 5 and 12 μg/L in first and fourth L samples, respectively; 8 homes in three U.S. cities sampled after 6 h stagnation peaked in third to seventh L samples; 32 Chicago homes sampled on three occasions after 6 h stagnation showed peaks in 6 th to 10 th L samples; 8 homes in Cranston, RI sampled after 6 h stagnation showed the highest Pb levels in 4 th to 6 th L samples (both before and after partial LSL replacement); , based on measurements at 37 homes across 8 Midwest or eastern U.S. utilities, the 6 th L sample was determined to be the best for capturing Pb peaks, conversely, sequential sampling of several metals (e.g., Zn and Ni) found peaks in the first L sample in 2 of 11 homes sampled . This summary shows some variation in the timing and magnitude of Pb peaks and the modest sample size of earlier studies, and it generally supports the use of fourth to sixth L samples for homes with LSLs, as performed here.…”

Effect of Community Water Service on Lead in Drinking Water in an Environmental Justice Community

“…The high correlations between Pb and Zn, Cu, and Ni are also consistent with previous studies tracing brass fittings and fixtures as sources of Pb in drinking water. , For example, in their study of Pb in private drinking water systems in Virginia, Pieper et al found high correlations between Pb and Zn (ρ = 0.67), Cu (ρ = 0.61), and Ni (ρ = 0.56).…”

Human Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Tap Water and the Factors Influencing Its Value

“…Meanwhile, Cu contents were higher in water samples collected from new installations. The release of Cu from the material of connection is controlled by many factors, such as the water temperature or pH [100,102]. Zn can release from the galvanised pipes and other brass parts of water installation systems [103].…”