2002年，在德克萨斯州Leveland的配水系统中发现了高氯酸盐。这项研究是为了解释高氯酸盐的来源，一项调查确定高氯酸盐来自地上的钢制储罐。这是已知的第一次在公共配水系统内原位电化学生产高氯酸盐。本文中的研究结果表明，可能需要更改阴极保护系统的标准操作程序，因为钢制储罐上正常运行的活性阴极保护系统可能会在后处理过程中产生高氯酸盐，也可能产生氯酸盐。本文中的信息将有助于公用事业经理提醒他们注意这个潜在问题。

In 2002, perchlorate was discovered in the water distribution system of Levelland, Texas. This study was undertaken to explain the source of the perchlorate, which an investigation determined had come from an aboveground steel storage tank. This was the first known in situ electrochemical production of perchlorate within a public water distribution system. The results of the study presented in this article imply that changes in the standard operating procedure for cathodic protection systems may be required, because there is the possibility that normally operated active cathodic protection systems on steel tanks could produce perchlorate, and possibly chlorate, posttreatment. The information in this article will be useful to utility managers to alert them to this potential problem.