GOP Poisons Flint Michigan

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

From what I understand, the Flint River water was corrosive to the pipes in which Lake Huron water had been run using the requisite (but lower) amount of phosphate to ensure a coating within the pipe to prevent lead leaching from the pipes. When they changed to Flint River water, they refused to use the phosphate treatment (as required by the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule and highlighted by an EPA staffer who was ignored/challenged by Michigan). The corrosive (and untreated by phosphate) water ate through the existing phosphate film and started leaching lead from the pipes.

Not sure but I think it isn't the phosphates that comprise the coating but a biological coating that is encouraged to form by the presence of phosphates. This eutrophic effect of phosphates is why they're no longer allowed in detergents. I also think that the Flint River water was extremely - abnormally caustic - owing to a century of industrial pollution from once burgeoning Flint industry.