Anaerobic wastewater is frequently corrosive to materials it contacts, especially:

Anaerobic wastewater is characterized by the absence of oxygen, a condition that fosters the growth of certain bacteria that can produce highly acidic byproducts, such as hydrogen sulfide and organic acids. This particularly aggressive environment leads to significant corrosion issues for many materials.

Concrete is especially susceptible to damage from anaerobic wastewater because it can undergo a chemical reaction with the acids produced in the wastewater. The acids can degrade the calcium compounds in the concrete, resulting in compromised structural integrity over time. Additionally, wet conditions combined with the unique corrosive agents in anaerobic environments accelerate the deterioration process, leading to issues such as spalling and reduced strength of the concrete.

In contrast, some materials like stainless steel and certain plastics can resist corrosive effects to varying degrees, while coal tar enamel is generally chosen for its protective attributes against corrosion. Therefore, concrete is identified as the material most frequently affected by the corrosive properties of anaerobic wastewater due to its chemical vulnerabilities.