Wednesday, December 17, 2003
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Wednesday, December 17, 2003 |
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Metal water pipes more costly, but maybe worth it By JOHN MUNFORD It will cost more, but the Fayette County Water System might get back to installing metal pipes. Currently, the system uses PVC pipes for its new water main distribution lines, which help direct water not only to businesses and homes, but also to fire hydrants. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, a kind of petroleum-based hard plastic. Although the PVC pipes have saved money, they aren’t as sturdy as metal pipes, particularly when other utility companies make mistakes while digging. The metal pipes are also believed to be more durable in the long run, officials said. Fayette County’s Water Committee, an advisory group to the county board of commissioners, voted to recommend the change to the commission at the committee’s meeting last week. “They’re easier to locate,” said Tony Parrott of the metal lines. “They also survive better out there with utility companies upgrading.” Jim Mallett, the county’s consulting engineer, said he felt more “warm and fuzzy” about going back to the metal pipes. Chuck Watkins noted that the change would increase costs by roughly 30 percent. The water department is funded by rate-payers, not by a collected tax. Other counties have required the use of metal pipes and there appears to be plenty of legal leeway to make the change, said County Attorney Bill McNally. “Just the ability to locate it alone is a tremendous factor,” McNally said, referring to PVC’s invisibility to normal metal-detecting devices.
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