Biofilm Development on 304 and 316 Stainless Steels in a Potable Water System

Abstract

Abstract Instances of rapid failure of copper‐pipe plumbing in potable‐water systems installed in large municipal buildings have led to a review of the use of alternative materials including stainless steel. This paper reports the findings of an in‐situ study which investigated biofilm development on types 304 and 316 stainless‐steel piping in a filtered and unfiltered, hot and cold‐water supply system installed in a large public building in the west of Scotland. This building had experienced severe corrosion problems with copper pipework.