- Plumbosolvency
Plumbosolvency is the ability of a
solvent , notablywater , to dissolvelead . In the public supply of water this is an undesirable property. In (usually older) consumers' premises plumbosolvent water can attacklead pipes and the lead in solder used to join copper and steel pipes leading to increased lead levels at the tap. As a consequence, lead is a common contaminant ofdrinking water .Plumbosolvency of water can be countered by increasing thepH with lime orsodium hydroxide (lye), or by the addition ofphosphate at thewater treatment works.
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