What are the problems that phosphates help to solve?
Phosphates are used in municipal water systems to perform three broad functions: inhibit corrosion of water mains/plumbing (iron, steel, galvanized, asbestos/cement, lead, copper), sequester nuisance metals in the water supply (iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium). They can also improve the quality of water in the distribution system by removing scale deposits & tuberculation, discourage microbial film formation/regrowth, and stabilizing free chlorine disinfectant residuals.