What could be a long-term effect of water with a pH lower than 6?

Water with a pH lower than 6 can lead to elevated levels of copper in the water supply. This occurs primarily because acidic waters (lower pH levels) can corrode plumbing materials, particularly copper pipes. When the water is more acidic, it has a greater ability to leach metals from pipes and fixtures. This can result in increased concentrations of copper in drinking water, which can have harmful health effects if consumed at elevated levels over a prolonged period.

Additionally, corrosive water can affect the integrity of treatment systems and other infrastructure, leading to further contamination issues. As the copper leaches into the water supply, it can also cause issues such as the blue-green staining of fixtures, indicating the presence of copper and potentially leading to more extensive damage to the plumbing system over time.

Therefore, the long-term effects of water with a low pH not only pose risks to human health due to copper exposure but also compromise the quality and safety of the overall water distribution system.