which is better for drinking water-------> Copper pipes or PVC pipes?

Question

and why?

I'm basically trying to figure out which is less hazardess to human heath

Answer 1

Contractor here.

Copper is the standard choice for water supply lines, and PVC for drain lines. You can use PVC for supply, or copper for drain. I have yet to hear that there are any heath effect related to the material of the supply pipe (unless it's lead).

I tend to think that copper would be a better choice for supply as it is a naturally occurring metal that doesn't contain any volatile organic compounds, or chemical compositions found in PVC (Polyvinyl-chloride)

If there were a problem with copper, I'm sure it would have been addressed in the industry as well as municipalities. Even water filtration plants use copper pipes.

Answer 2

We just got done replacing a PVC main line in our front yard 2 summers ago, because the pine tree roots cracked the PVC.

What we replaced it with is a new coaxial pipe with plastic in the middle (for the water flow), surrounded by flexible copper (to hold the pressure), surrounded by tough plastic to maintain flexibility and protect the copper. That's what I would recommend.

The rest of my house is plumbed in copper. I always let the water 'run' for a few seconds because I have a concern (albiet very slight) about the lead from the solder joints leaching into the water stream.

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Answer 3

Only on very old installations would you have to be concerned with lead from the solder joints leaching into the water. Like pre1975. Since then lead based solder was replaced with a lead less solder made mostly out of tin. That is not saying some homeowner handyman could not have repaired his pipes and used plain lead solder. I prefer copper for water and use PVC only on drains.

Answer 4

I'm a mechanical engineer for an architectural company. I design HVAC and plumbing systems. We never design supply water with PVC pipes. Supply lines generally have a higher pressure than drainage lines. Steel lines are common too until you get past about 2" diameter. Then we go to copper. There is nothing wrong with copper. It doesn't rust and it is not quick to break down.

Answer 5

Copper pipes. Over time the PVC would wear down, and would you want to be drinking that?

Answer 6

I WOULD SAY FOR A LONGER LASTING INSTALLATION, GO WITH COPPER.. FOR A BETTER DRINKING WATER I WOULD GO WITH PVC..

Answer 7

pvc are healthier and cheaper