Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Class C Water License Exam

Which method is NOT recommended for protecting an elevated storage tank against corrosion?

1. Painting

2. Cathodic protection

3. Only using galvanized components

4. Using lead-based components

The correct answer is: Using lead-based components

Using lead-based components is not recommended for protecting an elevated storage tank against corrosion for several crucial reasons. Lead is highly toxic and poses significant health risks to both humans and the environment. Its use in coatings or materials related to water systems can lead to lead leaching into the water supply, posing serious health hazards, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women. In contrast, other corrosion protection methods are designed to be safer and more effective. Painting creates a protective barrier that can help prevent moisture and corrosive substances from reaching the metal substrate of the tank. Cathodic protection is a widely accepted technique that uses electrochemical processes to prevent corrosion by making the tank the cathode of an electrochemical cell, thereby reducing the corrosion rate. Using galvanized components provides a protective zinc layer, which can act sacrificially to prevent rusting of the underlying metal. Thus, selecting a method for corrosion protection requires consideration of both effectiveness in preventing corrosion and overall safety for human health and the environment, making lead-based components an inappropriate choice.