Why Material Selection Matters

AND WHY THERE IS MORE TO PIPE THAN JUST PURCHASE PRICE

The Tri-County Water Authority (TCWA) was formed in 1991 as a not-for-profit water utility serving portions of Jackson, Cass and Bates counties, Missouri. When the system was first established, about half of the pipe installed were ductile iron and half were plastic PVC. Today, the authority’s 120 miles of pipe are approximately 75% ductile iron and 25% plastic PVC.

During its more than 25 years of service, TCWA has seen more than 250 main breaks. Most of those involved plastic PVC pipe and only three involved ductile iron pipe. TCWA General Manager John Overstreet said, “While the expenses vary depending on the location and the size of the pipe, the repair/replacement costs associated with each of these events can easily exceed $5,000.”