The behaviour of asbestos cement pipe under various water quality conditions: a progress report

An account is given of research undertaken to test the potential health risk from asbestos cement pipe used in potable water distribution systems. The research reported is in four sections: field evaluation of 10 public water supply systems, pilot-scale tests under controlled conditions, bench-scale tests, and in situ rehabilitation of deteriorated pipe. It is found that asbestos cement pipe behaves much like any other piping materials except PVC, in that if aggressive water conditions exist the pipe will deteriorate and high fibre counts are likely; if the water is not corrosive, no deterioration problems arise.