PVC Pipe: Is it toxic?

Polyethylene pipe is an alternative

The polyethylene (PE) alternative

Polyethylene (PE) is a clean alternative. It is considered to be environmentally safe in its manufacture, applications and disposal. It is the material used for many food containers, and has also been a water pipe material for decades. High density PE (HDPE) pipe is gaining popularity for building plumbing in the USA and is already standard in Europe.

Black PE pipe is commonly used for underground feeds and for irrigation, and also as water well drop pipe. It is flexible, and sold on long rolls, making it easy to work with. Unlike PVC, it will tolerate repeated hard freezing in cold weather

Drinking water grade pipe is available almost all over the world. Conergy offers heavy wall PE pipe for use with the SunRise deep well pumps.

Application of polyethylene water pipe

storage and handling:

PE pipe should be stored so as to prevent damage by crushing or piercing. Coils of black pipe may be stored outdoors without damage from weather or Ultraviolet exposure. Colored pipe contains Ultraviolet inhibitors to protect it from sunlight, but colored pipe should be stored in a protected area away from Ultraviolet exposure. Do not expose pipe and tubing to excessive heat. Do not drag across rough ground and avoid hitting or placement on sharp objects when storing or placing in service. Before pipe or tubing is installed each length should be inspected for transport damage, cuts, punctures or excessive abrasion. Damage from shipping or handling may have occurred. Although each coil is clean and sealed or capped when it leaves the factory dirt or debris may have entered the pipe during installation. Flushing the pipe before final connections are made is good practice.

PE pipe used for burial application should be surrounded with soft soil or sand to protect it from any sharp rocks. The pipe will contract as it cools. In an area with wide seasonal temperature extremes, it should wave from side to side in the trench (like a snake) in order to allow it to contract when it cools in low winter temperature conditions. The coefficient of expansion of PE is .00007 inch/inch/°F or approximately 1.7 inches/10°F/200 feet of pipe

fittings:

Never use plated steel PE pipe adapters, especially for buried applications.

Gear-type hose clamps should be tightened with a wrench, not just a screwdriver, until the "tail" just begins to turn to one side. Double clamps can be used for extra security. Use "all-stainless" clamps available from a pipe supplier. Automotive clamps have carbon-steel screws that will rust.

Do not use any lubricants, sealing compounds or pipe dope. Use of these materials voids all warranties and may cause damage to the pipe.

In cold weather it may be necessary to warm the pipe in order to insert the fitting. DO NOT USE A TORCH TO HEAT THE PIPE. Gently warm the pipe using hot water or by storing the pipe in a warm place prior to assembly.

When assembling a joint using external compression fittings, follow the manufacturer's directions carefully.

Polyethylene pipe is chemically inert and there are no known glues that can be used to create effective joints that will stand up over long periods of time.

Long pipelines are sometimes joined by means of a thermal plastic welding system.

water well drop pipe:

When a long length of pipe is pulled from a well, care must be taken to prevent kinking of the pipe. The maximum bend radius of polyethylene pipe is 18 inches. If the pipe is kinked the section must be removed since a weak point has been created at the kink.

All details of the selection, procurement and use of PE pipe for the SunRise Submersible Pump are contained in the SunRise Instruction Manual.