When it comes to PVC, the public is usually subjected to agenda-driven commentary laced with half-truths and exaggeration disguised as journalism. The reporters who produce this coverage take anti-plastic activists at face value and rarely give the other side an opportunity to correct the record. 

We’re pleased to report that we’ve found a refreshing exception in this Water Finance & Management piece by Anne Austin titled “Americans Deserve Accurate Information about PVC Pipe for Drinking Water.” The article fairly surveys the relevant science, corrects common misconceptions and encourages everyone involved in this discussion to cut “through the noise” and “ensure that America’s infrastructure investments are grounded in safety and innovation.” 

We couldn’t agree more. Let’s examine some of Austin’s takeaways.

PVC’s proven track record

PVC has been a staple material in water infrastructure since the 1950s because it’s affordable, easy to install and corrosion resistant—all of which make it superior to alternative materials currently on the market. This helps explain why so many municipal water utilities are dumping their aging iron systems for PVC. Indeed the material‘s durability and affordability have made it ideal for a broad range of applications, as Austin points out early in her piece:

“Used safely for nearly a century, PVC provides essential benefits in applications ranging from water and sewer systems to medical devices, flooring and even automotive components, where it helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions.”

Fabricated controversy

Unfortunately, the public conversation around PVC has drifted far from these crucial facts. Austin argues that PVC pipes have been wrongly maligned because of misunderstood chemicals used in their production, especially vinyl chloride. Critics allege that vinyl chloride can “leach” from PVC pipes into drinking, a claim that betrays an ignorance of basic chemistry, which we’ve refuted on multiple occasions. 

As Austin explains, once vinyl chloride molecules are bonded together, they form PVC, “a chemically stable and non-toxic material.” It’s comparable, she adds, to boiling an egg. Once the egg is cooked, it can’t revert to its original form. The bottom line:

“The safety of PVC piping has been thoroughly evaluated for more than 70 years by federal regulatory agencies, independent certification organizations, and scientific studies. U.S.-made PVC pipe consistently meets or exceeds rigorous safety standards…”

Getting the lead out

With the EPA mandating the removal of lead water service lines across the US, activists have launched a campaign to oppose the expanding use of PVC piping. They say using plastic in place of lead would merely swap one problematic material for another, advocating for alternatives like copper or steel. But Austin has the facts on hand to defuse this spurious claim:

“According to a Utah State University study, PVC is the most commonly used and best-performing material in America’s water systems, boasting the lowest break rate compared to other pipe materials. Its durability and immunity to corrosion give it an impressive 100-plus year service life, far outlasting legacy piping.” 

This goes to important economic and environmental arguments for PVC water pipe: its century-plus service life saves taxpayers billions of dollars and cuts greenhouse emissions generated by inferior piping alternatives; these materials are heavier and less durable, meaning they have to be constructed, transported and replaced more frequently, all of which pumps CO2 into the atmosphere.  In other words, PVC is the most sustainable choice. 

Transparency is key

Austin ends by emphasizing the importance of transparency and public education. She helpfully calls for a balanced discourse in which all of the relevant evidence is freely discussed so Americans can make an informed decision. “By cutting through the noise and focusing on facts,” she writes, “we can ensure that America’s infrastructure investments are grounded in safety and innovation, providing reliable, sustainable solutions for generations to come.”