Field-Tested Truths
We recently reviewed an in-depth analysis of piping systems across the U.S. that identified trends in piping system requirements over the medium and longer term. The study focused on understanding why specific materials were chosen for both new and replacement installations. It also sought to identify how utilities, developers, and contractors prioritized various pipe characteristics.
The following quotes represent a range of viewpoints from managers of these organizations and reflect professional observations based on what did and did not work for their piping systems over the course of years and decades of use.
Roughly half of respondents were engineers at a senior level. Other roles included materials managers and purchasers, construction supervisors, and field operations personnel. To maintain respondent anonymity, the study cited only the organization’s size (number of connections) and their EPA region.
“Copper is not permeable to pollutants, which is a big issue with plastic. We’re an industrial area, and there are contaminants in the ground.” (EPA Region 3; 52,000 Connections)
“…Poly (which breaks the most) is being used. Often, people hire plumbers to put in copper service, and the plumber puts in poly instead. Plumbers will do anything to save a buck.” (EPA Region 10; 35,000 Connections)
“We allow HDPE as a cost concession to developers. We use copper for everything the Utility installs (new and replacements) because the Maintenance Division insists on it. We would much prefer to have only copper used.” (EPA Region 4; 244,000 Connections)
“We allowed HDPE for around 10 years; we recently stopped allowing it because of our history of failures with it. Whole subdivisions have had to be torn up (to remove it). There have been lawsuits between homeowners’ associations and builders…” (EPA Region 5; 52,000 Connections)
“…We used plastic, but it was not a good product. We had to replace it all, at great expense, less than 10 years later.” (EPA Region 10; 66,000 Connections)
“Plastic is not good in our climate…lots of freezing and thawing…”
(EPA Region 5; 52,000 Connections)
“They may use plastic, but we don’t encourage it. We have a ‘dual check’ after the meter, which protects us from getting contaminants in the system [that could come through the plastic]; the customer takes the risk for his side.” (EPA Region 3; 118,000 Connections)
“We had an instance where gasoline migrated through PE pipe.”
(EPA Region 2; 83,000 Connections)
Images are for illustration only.