Common lead salts and compounds in water

Lead in water may be dissolved, colloidal or carried on particles. Soluble lead salts illustrate possible inputs, while carbonate, sulfate and phosphate solids help explain precipitation and scale. A salt-solubility table cannot predict lead at a tap without considering plumbing corrosion and water chemistry.

See also lead in water and the lead element page.

Selected salts and compounds

This is a practical selection, not a ranking of abundance in every water. Qualitative solubility descriptions refer to the stated compound; hydration, temperature, pH and complexation can change its behaviour. A soluble starting salt does not necessarily remain unchanged after addition to water.

Removal, purification and recovery

For drinking-water distribution, identify and control the source of lead, including lead-bearing pipes, fittings and corrosion scales. Treatment at the plant does not prevent lead entering water downstream. Corrosion-control decisions require a system-specific assessment.

For contaminated process water, evaluate precipitation/co-precipitation followed by effective solids separation, selective media or ion exchange, and membranes where suitable. Measure both dissolved and total lead: filtration of particles alone does not establish dissolved-lead removal. Complexing agents can keep lead in solution and change the required process. Manage lead-bearing sludge, spent media and concentrate as contaminated residual streams.

Information for process selection

Useful inputs include flow, pH, temperature, salinity, total and dissolved lead, other metals, suspended solids and known complexing constituents. Define the treated-water target and whether recovery is an objective. Laboratory or pilot testing can establish performance for the actual feed rather than a simplified salt solution.