Corrosion Control Treatment

The professionals at Providence Water treat your drinking water so that when it leaves our treatment plant in Scituate, it meets all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state drinking water requirements. As a normal part of the treatment process, we adjust the pH of the water to control corrosion in the pipes under the streets and in your home. Corrosion can cause metals, such as lead in pipes, to be released into the drinking water. Treated water leaving the plant does not contain lead, however some homes have service lines and household plumbing that may contain lead.
Providence Water has been working with nationally recognized drinking water experts (expert panel) to identify the best forms of corrosion control treatment for our system.
With the recommendation of our expert panel, Providence Water began adding orthophosphate to the water leaving our treatment plant in January 2021 to help reduce lead levels in water.

Orthophosphate FAQ

What is Orthophosphate?

Orthophosphate is a food-grade additive that forms a protective coating on the interior of pipes so that lead in service lines, solder, and household plumbing is less likely to be released.

This is called corrosion control.

Orthophosphate is a colorless, tasteless, odorless food ingredient approved by the EPA and the Food and Drug Administration. Orthophosphate is being used by approximately 50 percent of the water utilities throughout the United States.

Is it Safe in My Drinking Water?

Yes. Orthophosphate is approved for use by the FDA, EPA, and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent international testing organization that certifies and writes standards for products, food, air, water and consumer goods in use. According to the EPA, the typical phosphate levels found in a liter of drinking water are about one hundred times lower than the phosphate levels found in the average American diet. For example, a person would have to drink 10 to 15 liters of water to equal the amount of phosphates in just one can of soda.

You should not see, taste, or smell any difference in your drinking water; however, if you have any concerns or observe any unusual conditions, please contact our Water Quality Hotline at (401) 521-6303.

Why is it Important for the Water System?

While replacing lead service lines remains the most effective way to reduce lead at the tap, replacing every lead service line will take years. In the immediate term, Providence Water uses the most effective corrosion control as an effective solution to address high lead levels, which benefits our entire drinking water system.

The EPA has identified orthophosphate treatment as the optimal corrosion control treatment for reducing lead in drinking water. The addition of orthophosphate will form a protective coating on the interior of pipes, which is expected to reduce the amount of lead that is released into the water from sources such as lead service lines, lead based solder, and household plumbing. Elevated lead levels within drinking water have been found in some homes in Providence Water’s retail area.