Phosphates are water treatment chemicals used to solve specific water quality problems resulting from inorganic contaminants (iron, manganese, calcium, etc.) in ground water supplies and also to maintain water quality (inhibit corrosion, scale, biofilm, reduce lead and copper levels) in the distribution system.
Full Answer
What is the use of phosphorus in water treatment?
The Use of Phosphates and Phosphoric Acid in Potable Water Treatment. Phosphates for potable water treatment perform several functions that include: iron and manganese control, scale inhibition and removal, corrosion control and chlorine stabilization.
What is the role of phosphates in a water system?
It dissolves very slowly in the water stream and changes how the calcium and iron react in the water. Phosphates are used in water systems to inhibit corrosion of water mains/plumbing (iron, steel, galvanized, lead, copper), sequester nuisance metals in the water supply (iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium).
Are phosphates safe for drinking water?
There are several forms and grades of phosphates. Most dry powders and liquid concentrates are safe to handle and store. Phosphate additives are either food quality grade or certified to ANSI/NSF Standard #60 drinking water treatment as approved for use in potable drinking water.
Is phosphorus removal from wastewater unsolvable?
Phosphorus removal is something that nearly all wastewater plants struggle with, even facilities that are designed to do so. But while it may be a difficult problem, it’s not unsolvable.
What does phosphate do in water treatment?
Water utilities treat drinking water by adding phosphate to prevent metal dissolution from water pipe work systems and particularly lead poisoning.
Is phosphate the same as phosphorus in water?
In nature, phosphorus usually exists as part of a phosphate molecule (PO4). Phosphorus in aquatic systems occurs as organic phosphate and inorganic phosphate. Organic phosphate consists of a phosphate molecule associated with a carbon-based molecule, as in plant or animal tissue.
What does phosphate indicate in water?
What can phosphorus tell us about the condition of water? Phosphorus is usually considered the “limiting nutrient” in aquatic ecosystems, meaning that the available quantity of this nutrient controls the pace at which algae and aquatic plants are produced.
Is phosphate in water good?
Phosphorus is an essential element for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can speed up eutrophication (a reduction in dissolved oxygen in water bodies caused by an increase of mineral and organic nutrients) of rivers and lakes.
What is a good phosphate level in water?
To control eutrophication, the USEPA has established a recommended limit of 0.05 mg/L for total phosphates in streams that enter lakes and 0.1 mg/L for total phosphorus in flowing waters (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986).
What is phosphate same as phosphorus?
Phosphate is an anion composed of phosphorous (P) and oxygen (O) atoms. The main difference between phosphorous and phosphate is that phosphorous is an element whereas phosphate is an anion.
What is a good phosphate level for a healthy pond?
Around 0.05 ppmPhosphate – Around 0.05 ppm.
What causes high phosphates in water?
Phosphates enter waterways from human and animal waste, phosphorus rich bedrock, laundry, cleaning, industrial effluents, and fertilizer runoff. These phosphates become detrimental when they over fertilize aquatic plants and cause stepped up eutrophication.
Does tap water contain phosphates?
Zinc or sodium orthophosphates or phosphoric acid are often added to the drinking water at public water systems as a corrosion inhibitor to prevent leaching of lead and copper from pipes and fixtures.
Are phosphates in water harmful?
Phosphates are not toxic to people or animals unless they are present in very high levels. Digestive problems could occur from extremely high levels of phosphate.
What happens if there is not enough phosphorus in water?
For example, in water bodies having total phosphorus concentrations less than 10 parts per billion (1 ppb – equal to one drop in a railroad tank car), waters will be nutrient-poor and will not support large quantities of algae and aquatic plants.
Do phosphates cause algae growth?
Because phosphates are a food source for algae, high phosphates in pool water can promote algae growth.
What is phosphate water treatment?
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.
Why are phosphates important in water?
Below are several resources on water quality and the importance of phosphates in helping to ensure safe drinking water.
What is phosphorus in water?
What it is: Phosphates are sometimes contaminants in water and sometimes beneficial additives; it all depends how and where they are encountered. Phosphates are derivatives of phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ), which contain phosphorus and oxygen and exist in inorganic and organic forms.
What is phosphate salt?
The phosphate metal salt forms a protective coating of insoluble mineral scale on the inside of service lines and household plumbing as well as in commercial water applications and significantly reduces leaching of those metals.
Why are inorganic phosphates important?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that inorganic phosphates as food additives are GRAS (generally recognized as safe).
What is the phosphorus concentration in water?
Natural waters contain a phosphorus concentration of approximately 0.02 parts per million (ppm). Phosphates will sequester metal cations so elevated phosphate levels will interfere with the coagulation process in drinking water treatment plants.
Why are phosphates important to DNA?
Phosphate linkages are essential components of DNA and RNA because they connect the sugar and organic bases to produce the helix structure.
What is the phosphorus level in a stream?
In 1986, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the following recommended criteria for phosphorus: No more than 0.1 mg/L for streams that do not empty into reservoirs; no more than 0.05 mg/L for streams discharging into reservoirs; and no more than 0.024 mg/L for reservoirs.
What are the problems caused by excess phosphate?
The principal problems caused by excess phosphate are as a nutrient that, along with nitrogen/nitrates, can cause excess algal growth and eutrofication of water bodies. As the algae proliferate, they eventually die and consume dissolved oxygen in the water as they are degraded.
Why is phosphorus not good for aquatic plants?
Phosphorus is a nutrient that increases plant growth; it’s great for food crops, but it’s not great for aquatic systems because it enhances the growth of plants over the growth of other wildlife— eutrophication.
Is there a regulation on how much phosphorus can be returned to the environment?
Some new regulations have recently come out on how much phosphorus can be returned to the environment. As of now, these regulations are done at the state level; most states have already begun (or will soon begin) to regulate phosphorus levels.
Is phosphorus removal a problem?
But while it may be a difficult problem, it’s not unsolvable. Water can be improved either biologically or chemically.
Why do pools have phosphates?
Pool water itself: many municipalities add some phosphates to the water supply, to reduce levels of lead and copper. In addition, some pool cleaners and chemicals, along with stain and scale removers and stabilizers, may contain phosphates. In other words, since they are so widespread in nature and used in so many ways, ...
How do phosphates help algae grow?
They contribute to algae growth by feeding the algae, and, when the algae organism dies, it releases more phosphates into the water, feeding more new algae and creating an unhealthy cycle. In nature, this is called an “algae bloom”, and it’s why phosphates have such a bad reputation.
How to keep pool water from getting algae?
Calcium is a positive ion that bonds with phosphorous, a negative ion. This is why phosphates can soften pool water, but also why low calcium levels can create high phosphate levels. If you balance your pool for calcium, it will naturally control phosphates. And maintaining the correct pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels will help to prevent algae.
What are the sources of phosphates in a pool?
In a swimming pool, phosphates can accumulate from four primary sources: Swimmers: human sweat, skin and hair products, and detergents used in towels or bathing suits, all can contribute to the level of phosphates in a pool . Water runoff: fertilizers and garden care products that are used around a pool may add phosphates to pool water.
Can phosphates soften pool water?
This is why phosphates can soften pool water, but also why low calcium levels can create high phosphate levels. If you balance your pool for calcium, it will naturally control phosphates. And maintaining the correct pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels will help to prevent algae. Control algae with an algaecide.
Do you need to test phosphate levels in a pool?
Generally speaking, most pool owners don’t need to test for or control phosphate levels in their pools. If your pool water is otherwise healthy and balanced, phosphates won’t affect water quality. If you have an algae problem, an algaecide is a much more direct and effective method of correcting it, than independently testing ...
When did people start paying attention to phosphates?
Most people started to pay attention to phosphates in the 70s and 80s, when news of algae blooms and their effect on drinking water started to hit the news. There was a sudden awareness that phosphates are in everything. Today I’ll be looking at the facts behind phosphates in pools, and what you really need to do to keep your pool water healthy ...