Scientific American: Zapping Lead Pipes with Electricity Could Make Them Safer for Drinking Water

Tragically, millions of Americans are still effected by the use of lead pipes to transport water across the nation. There are known effects on development, damage to organs, and even death in extreme cases. Individuals at the University of California, Berkeley are currently working to rectify the situation through the implementation of electrical current. By running this current through the pipes they are creating a sort of barrier that has been seen to decrease the amount of toxic metal entering the water. The issue, as being examined with Flint, Michigan, is that the ‘protective scale’ has been worn down over time, but can be rebuilt through the addition of phosphates. This takes months or years to accomplish, however, the addition of the electricity quickens the process substantially, needing only hours. Some critics note that some lead particles will still be seeping into the water and the only solution is to fully replace the pipes. Further testing is being conducted.