CRUMBLING SEWERS LINKED TO DRINKING WATER TREATMENT

摘要

Australian sewers are being corroded partly because of an additive used in the drinking water treatment process. In some cases the lifetime of concrete pipes is being reduced by up to 90%. But much of that corrosion could be reduced by a simple change in the chemicals used to treat the water, as the authors recently reported in the journal Science (Pikaar et a/., 2014). Our urban-based societies are completely dependent on extensive infrastructure support to function effectively. Wastewater collection in sewer networks is arguably one of the most critical elements in today's cities. It helps to protect public health and enable the productive economic activities that are crucial for our high living standards.