Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning C

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

cathodic protection (kath-ODD-ick)

An electrical system for prevention of rust, corrosion, and pitting of metal surfaces that are in contact with water, wastewater, or soil. A low-voltage current is made to flow through a liquid (water) or a soil in contact with the metal in such a manner that the external electromotive force renders the metal structure cathodic. This concentrates corrosion on auxiliary anodic parts, which are deliberately allowed to corrode instead of letting the structure corrode.