Copper

Unlike other materials used for service lines, copper is completely impervious—it keeps outside chemicals from contaminating the water system. Chemicals such as petroleum products may be spilled on nearby streets and insecticides and fertilizers intentionally spread on yards—places where service lines are located—can permeate through the walls of plastic service lines, weaken them and contaminate the water within 1. In underground applications where freezing and thawing and other natural occurrences cause the ground to settle and move, copper can withstand these stresses without failure, while other materials crack, rupture and leak. When designed, installed and operated properly, copper water services keep the water in the tube, and contaminants out because it doesn't allow chemicals to penetrate the tube wall, and doesn't leach organics from the tube. Copper tube is made from 99.9 percent pure copper.

Copper's extensive use has allowed researchers to study, understand and apply the material appropriately to ensure long-term system reliability and safety. The properties of copper piping, what is in it, what can leach from it, the associated potential health and safety effects, and how leaching can be controlled are quantified and well-known. Copper is safe, reliable and long-lasting—these properties added together represent the best, most cost-effective choice over the lifetime of critical underground water infrastructure.

Copper is the most dependable and most used material for plumbing tube in the developed world. Copper is beneficial in underground applications because it is highly corrosion resistant in most underground environments. Because of its superior strength it can withstand stresses without failure. Plastics on the other hand, are prone to crack, rupture and leak when freezing and thawing and other natural occurrences cause the ground to settle and move. Copper can be exposed to UV rays (sunshine) and oxidizing disinfectants (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide, etc.) without risk of cracking or failure. Meanwhile, plastic pipe has exhibited an above average risk of premature failure fue to oxidative degradation 2 in underground potable water systems treated with an oxidizing disinfectant like chlorine.

Aproperly designed and installed copper system is built to last, but when it's time to replace the line copper can be recycled into another pipe or product without any loss to its beneficial properties. Its long life cycle, combined with its ease of recyclability back to the same metal purity (not downcycled to a lower purity or lesser use, like many plastics) makes copper a truly sustainable piping material. In addition, no matter how long it has been buried or in service, copper maintains its value—returning 80 - 90 percent or more of its original cost when it is reclaimed and sold for recycling.