Which is the simplest form of corrosion control?

Adding more alkalinity is considered one of the simplest forms of corrosion control because it helps to adjust the pH level of the water. Many types of corrosion in pipes and distribution systems occur when the water is too acidic (low pH), which can lead to the leaching of metals from the pipes into the drinking water. By increasing the alkalinity, you increase the buffering capacity of the water, which stabilizes the pH and makes it less corrosive to the materials of the plumbing system.

Alkalinity acts to neutralize acids and helps maintain a more balanced pH level. This not only protects the infrastructure of the water distribution system but also enhances water quality by preventing the leaching of harmful metals such as lead and copper.

When comparing this method to other options, increasing water flow may temporarily dilute corrosive factors but doesn't fundamentally address water chemistry. Raising the temperature can actually increase the rate of corrosion in many cases, while using distilled water eliminates many minerals altogether but may not be practical for large-scale systems and could lead to a different set of issues, such as destabilizing the water chemistry. Therefore, enhancing alkalinity is a straightforward and effective initial step in controlling corrosion.