Okay, this is a good question, and it's wise to be proactive. Let's break down the potential issues and what you can realistically do about them.

Understanding the Potential Problem: Galvanic Corrosion

You're right to be concerned about dissimilar metals in a wet (or potentially wet) environment. Galvanic corrosion happens when two different metals are in electrical contact and exposed to an electrolyte (like moisture in the soil). One metal (the more anodic one) corrodes preferentially, sacrificing itself to protect the other (the more cathodic one). The players in your scenario



Copper

The lugs and bonding grid.

Steel

The pool wall.

Potentially Stainless Steel

The hardware (nuts and bolts) of the lug. Stainless steel is more noble than steel, but usually less noble than copper.

Likelihood of a Significant Problem & Timeframe

While the potential for galvanic corrosion is there, the severity and timeframe for a serious problem are harder to predict. Here's what influences it:

Moisture

The more moisture is present around the connection (rain, sprinklers, humidity), the faster corrosion will occur.

Electrolyte Composition

Soil acidity, salt content, and other minerals in the soil affect conductivity and corrosion rates.

The Actual Metals Used

If the nuts and bolts were indeed plain steel, they would corrode quicker than the pool wall. If they're a high grade of stainless steel, the risk is less.

Size Matters

If the steel pool walls are much more surface area than the copper lugs, it will not suffer.

Were the Lugs rated for direct burial? The mortaring of the pavers

If this is directly on top of the lugs, this should help protect them from the rain.

What To Do Now - Assess and Plan (Prioritized)1. Determine if there is continuity. If you can access any part of the bonding grid, use a multimeter to test continuity between the bonding grid and the pool walls. If the meter reads an open circuit, the bonding to the pool wall needs to be addressed.2. Assess Accessibility

This is key. Can you realistically access any of the lugs without major demolition of the mortared pavers?

If you can access some lugs

Inspect them carefully. Look for signs of corrosion: Greenish or bluish deposits (copper corrosion - not necessarily a huge deal, but a sign of some activity). Reddish-brown rust (steel corrosion - more concerning). Pitting or thinning of the metal. Looseness of the connection.

If you can't access any of the lugs without significant demolition

This makes things much more challenging and you'll need to weigh the risk vs. the cost of remediation.3.

Best-Case Scenario (You Can Access the Lugs)



Replace Suspect Hardware

If you see corrosion on the existing hardware (nuts/bolts), replace them with stainless steel hardware specifically rated for underground use (316 or 316L stainless steel is preferable for marine/corrosive environments). Use an anti-seize compound designed for dissimilar metals (like a nickel-based compound) on the threads.

Consider Dielectric Grease/Coating

After cleaning the connection, apply a dielectric grease (silicone-based) or a corrosion-inhibiting compound specifically designed for electrical connections to help seal out moisture.

Wrap Connections

Use a high quality waterproof tape rated for direct burial.

Monitor Regularly

If possible, check these connections periodically (annually) for any signs of ongoing corrosion.

Add More Connections If it is possible, you can add an additional bonding cable around the perimeter of the pool to the equipotential bonding grid.4. Worst-Case Scenario (No Easy Access, but there are corrosion issues with the continuity test)



Weigh the Risks

Is there a reasonable chance of the connection failing prematurely? (Based on what you saw during installation, soil conditions, etc.). What is the cost to replace the steel pool walls if the bonding system fails?

Professional Consultation

This is where you might want to bring in an experienced pool electrician. They can assess the situation further and potentially use specialized tools (like ground resistance testers) to get a better picture of the grounding system's effectiveness.

Consider adding additional bonding connections This may entail digging and could be costly.

Important Considerations



NEC Requirements

Ensure everything you do complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for pool bonding (Article 680).

Record Keeping

Document everything you do – including photos, materials used, and any measurements you take. This will be helpful in the future if any issues arise.

Safety First

Always de-energize the circuit before working on any electrical connections.

In Summary:

You did the right thing by using #8 copper and a bonding grid. Your biggest risk factor is the unknown hardware on the lugs.If you can access the lugs, inspect them and replace any questionable hardware. If you can't access them, seriously consider contacting an electrician to provide a more professional opinion on the existing setup.It's very admirable that you are going back and re-checking your work. Good luck! Flag for review