Phosphates & Water Treatment

Municipal water treatment facilities are responsible for ensuring that communities have access to potable drinking water. Facilities treat water from local waterways and aquifers to make it safe for human consumption. Water passes through a maze of pipes as it is being screened and filtered. Over time, water pipes can corrode and result in the leaching of heavy metals, including lead, into the water. Therefore, many facilities line their pipes with phosphates, which act as corrosion inhibitors and prevent the leaching of these heavy metals into the water.  Below are several resources on water quality and the importance of phosphates in helping to ensure safe drinking water.

Statements on Water Treatment and Phosphates

Phosphate Forum of the Americas Statement on Phosphates and Municipal Water Facilities
NSF International Statement on Phosphates and Municipal Water Facilities
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Statement on Phosphates and Municipal Water

Whitepapers

Uses & Applications of Phosphates in Cooling & Boiler Water Treatment

Additional Resources

NSF International

Water Quality Association