My driveway is 550′ long, and the water meter is at the road. So far I have determined I should be happy with a 1.5″ ID pipe, for the flow I am considering. I was all set to pull the trigger on HDPE pipe (NSF rated, 200 PSI), until I read some articles that claim this type of pipe becomes brittle with time when exposed to water disinfectants (read chlorine, chloramine, chlorine dioxide etc.), anything the utility puts in the the great lakes water to make it “safe”.
So back to the drawing board. The options:
HDPE CTS 200 PSI pipe
Still likely the best option, if I can determine my water company does not use chlorine dioxide (which can apparently shorten the life to 10 so years). Even the “better” disinfectants can bring the life down to 20 so years, which is not ideal. Fittings are expensive, but I can get it in 500′ rolls, which means only one connection. 1.20 a foot for 1.5″ ID
CPVC
By far the most available but the amount of connections and potential health issues from the solvent/glues are scary. In 20 foot sections I would have a lot of joints, all leak potentials. 2.25 a foot for NSF rated 160 psi. Cheap fittings.
Copper
5.50 a foot. The run would cost almost 3000$, in materials. Tried and true. Cheap fittings. Lots of connections, just like CPVC. Unknown performance 4′ underground (potential oxidation/pitting).
What would you select for your home?
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