Coating Selection in Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants

Presenter: Brian Cheshire

Water and wastewater treatment facilities present some of the most challenging corrosion environments encountered in infrastructure. Assets are exposed to a combination of moisture, chemicals, microbiological activity, abrasive solids, and aggressive atmospheric conditions that can significantly impact service life of steel. Understanding the underlying corrosion mechanisms is critical to selecting effective protection and rehabilitation strategies.

This webinar will examine the primary corrosion mechanisms encountered throughout water and wastewater treatment systems, including biogenic sulfide corrosion, chemical attack, atmospheric corrosion, immersion service degradation, and other abrasive forces. Participants will learn how these mechanisms affect various substrates and how coatings, linings, cathodic protection, material selection, and maintenance practices can be used to mitigate risk and extend asset life.

Through real-world examples and industry best practices, attendees will gain practical guidance for evaluating service environments, selecting appropriate corrosion control strategies, and improving the long-term reliability and sustainability of critical infrastructure assets.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the primary corrosion mechanisms affecting steel, concrete, and other materials in water and wastewater treatment facilities. 
• Understand how environmental factors such as hydrogen sulfide, moisture, chemicals, microbiological activity, and abrasive solids contribute to asset degradation. 
• Evaluate the advantages and limitations of various corrosion mitigation strategies, including coatings, linings, cathodic protection, and material selection. 
• Recognize the key performance characteristics required for protective coating systems in water and wastewater service environments. 
• Apply risk-based approaches to corrosion control that improve asset reliability, extend service life, and reduce lifecycle costs. 
• Incorporate corrosion considerations into specification development, maintenance planning, and rehabilitation projects.