What is a deposit of calcium carbonate in pipes known as?

The deposit of calcium carbonate in pipes is referred to as tuberculation. Tuberculation results from the precipitation of minerals, particularly calcium carbonate, due to changes in water chemistry and flow conditions within the pipes. These deposits can accumulate over time and may lead to reduced flow rates and increased water resistance, impacting system efficiency.

In the context of water systems, tuberculation is specifically tied to the corrosion and subsequent redeposition of minerals like calcium carbonate, which forms nodules or tubercles on pipe surfaces. This is a common issue in potable water systems and can indicate the presence of imbalance in the water chemistry, where factors like pH and hardness play crucial roles.

While turbidity relates to the cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles, hardness measures the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in water, and alkalinity refers to the capacity of water to neutralize acids, none of these terms directly describe the mineral buildup that occurs within pipes as a result of calcium carbonate precipitating out of the water.