What does a marble test determine?

The marble test is specifically designed to assess the potential of water to cause scaling or corrosive effects on piping and equipment within a water supply system. In this test, the reaction of water with marble, which is primarily calcium carbonate, indicates the presence of soluble minerals that contribute to these conditions.

When water is corrosive, it can leach calcium and other minerals from pipes, leading to deterioration and increased maintenance costs. Conversely, when the water has high concentrations of calcium carbonate, it is more likely to produce scale, which can accumulate in pipes and reduce flow and efficiency. Thus, understanding whether water is scaling or corrosive is vital for maintaining infrastructure and ensuring the longevity of water distribution systems.

Other options focus on turbidity, iron content, or general safety for drinking, but the marble test is specifically representative of scaling and corrosiveness rather than these other characteristics.