Globally, these phenomena are more prevalent in ‎warm climatic zones than in humid ones. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ‎water type and ionic speciation on the corrosion and scaling potential of rural water ‎distribution networks across different climate zones of Kermanshah Province, Iran, ‎during the period 2009–2017.‎

Datasets on the physicochemical characteristics of water from stations located in five ‎distinct climatic zones were obtained from the city’s Hydraulic Works. Water type and ionic speciation ‎were determined using AqQA and Visual MINTEQ, respectively.‎

In all climate zones studied, the dominant water type was calcium-carbonate (Ca-‎HCO3). Although the water type was consistent across climate zones, significant ‎differences (p < 0.001) were observed in corrosion and scaling potential and ionic ‎speciation. In the warm semi-dry climate zone, LSI and AI values were higher, while RSI ‎and PSI values were lower compared to the other zones. In contrast, in the moderate ‎humid zone, the lowest LSI and AI values and the highest RSI and PSI values were ‎recorded. Speciation analysis revealed that calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were ‎predominantly present as free ionic species, followed by complexes with sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ‎and bicarbonate ions.‎

Ionic speciation analysis provides valuable insights into the corrosion and ‎scaling behavior of water in different climate zones. In warm and dry climate zones, ‎including semi-dry climates, water exhibited lower corrosivity but a higher scaling ‎tendency than in other climate zones.