What term describes corrosion or mineral deposits on the interior surface of piping in a water distribution system?

The term that accurately describes corrosion or mineral deposits on the interior surface of piping in a water distribution system is encrustation. Encrustation refers to the buildup of substances such as minerals, sediments, or biological material on surfaces, particularly within pipes. This accumulation can affect water flow and quality, making it an important consideration in the maintenance of water distribution systems.

Corrosion, while related, specifically refers to the chemical degradation of the pipe material itself, which can lead to weakened pipes but does not exclusively denote the buildup of deposits. Fouling typically refers to unwanted contaminants or organisms that might impair the function of equipment or piping but is not as specific to the mineral buildup inside the pipes as encrustation is. Blockage generally describes a complete obstruction of the flow of water in the system, which can be caused by encrustation but does not directly describe the process or material causing the buildup itself. Therefore, encrustation is the most precise term for this phenomenon.