What can cause water to be highly corrosive?

Water that is highly corrosive can indeed be influenced significantly by high concentrations of carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid, which can lower the pH of the water. Lower pH levels are associated with increased acidity, leading to a more aggressive environment for corrosion, especially with metals. This can result in the leaching of heavy metals and other contaminants from pipes and infrastructure, making it a concern for water quality.

While high mineral content and the presence of heavy metals can contribute to water quality issues, they do not inherently define corrosivity in the same way that carbon dioxide and low pH do. Heavy metals might cause harm or toxicity, but they are not direct contributors to corrosion in the way that carbonated water can be. High mineral content can support scale formation, which might protect pipes from actual corrosion, rather than exacerbate it.