Leak-resistant PVC pipes protect health, environment

WASHINGTON, DC, February 2 (VNS) – The Vinyl Institute welcomed bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week that renews the nation’s commitment to financing state wastewater infrastructure projects.

In a letter to Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Vinyl Institute President Tim Burns said the $20 billion in authorized spending over the next five years under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund represents a crucial new public investment that must be managed wisely.

The quality of the nation’s health and environment depend on sound decisions about the next generation of piping and wastewater systems to be installed, Burns wrote.

He noted that PVC vinyl piping has proven to be the most efficient, safe and cost-effective option for both drinking water and wastewater pipe systems. It uses less energy, resists corrosion and leaks, and has a significantly longer life than other pipe materials, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

The Reuters news service reported January 23 that rust from aging metal pipes is the biggest threat to the nation’s drinking water, posing “a rising health threat to consumers.”