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Making the Right ChoiceCareful Consideration Should Be Given to Choosingthe Best Pipe Material for Your SystemPipe is often overlooked but nonetheless is a critical componentof any water and sewer system. In fact, underground transmissionand distribution systems comprise a majority of thereplacement costs facing drinking water utilities today. Naturally,carefully choosing the pipe material that best fits a particularutility is not a decision to be taken lightly.To get a better perspective, UIM talked with Tony Radoszewskiof the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI). Radoszewski has professionalexperience within virtually every aspect of the plastic pipeindustry, from development and research to literally being inthe trenches. Today, he uses his background and knowledge tolead The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) as Executive Director.Having graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio,Texas, with a degree in chemistry, he spent his early career inthe petrochemical industry with various sections of the PhillipsChemical Co., including the polyolefin resins and pipe manufacturingdivisions. His assignments ranged from territorialsales and national sales management to director of businessdevelopment.Combining his knowledge of polymer chemistry with salesand marketing skills, Radoszewski was called on to create themarketing department for what was to become the world’s largestproducer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. He hasalso served as president of an international marketing consultingfirm from which he was recruited to lead the PPI in 2006.metal and concrete pipe. In the case of the newer highperformancematerials such as PE4710, increased toughnessand ductility properties allow the engineer to design a systemcloser to the pipe’s ductile limits, taking full advantageof these performance improvements. In practical terms,flow capacity is increased due to thinner walls without compromisinglong-term performance. Polyamides (PA-11) arenow being approved in gas distribution systems as well.How would you rate the acceptance of plastic pipeamong consultants and end-users?The acceptance of plastic pipe is exceptionally good.Polyethylene pipe is approved and used in virtually every undergroundutility including natural gas distribution, municipalwater and sewer, storm water and electrical and fiber-optic conduitsystems. Of the 1.2 million miles of gas distribution pipecurrently in the ground, just over 50 percent is polyethylene. Fornew installations, that number is closer to 95 percent. Combined,polyethylene and PVC pipes have roughly a 70 percent marketshare of potable water systems and 85 percent market share ofsanitary sewer systems. Introduced in the late 1980s, corrugatedpolyethylene pipe has a 15 to 20 percent share of the stormwater market and continues to grow as designers and specifierslearn about its economic and performance benefits.What is the Plastics Pipe Institute? Who are itsmembers? What is its mission?Founded in 1950, the mission of the PPI is to promote plasticsas the material of choice for piping applications. As a nonprofitorganization, we act as an advocate for our members toincrease the awareness, approval and acceptance of plastic pipe.We provide a forum for our member companies to work in acooperative effort to broaden the market for plastic pipe andrelated products. Sixty years of collaboration with nationallyrecognized organizations have created worldwide standards andguidelines so that today, our members’ products serve virtuallyevery underground utility and application where pipe is used.While the majority of our member companies have highdensitypolyethylene (HDPE) interests, our organization alsoincludes a number of producers of other plastic resins and pipeincluding polyvinylchloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride(CPVC), polyamide (PA) polypropylene (PP), and crosslinkedpolyethylene (PEX).How has plastic pipe evolved over the years? What arethe latest innovations?A primary characteristic of the petrochemical industry,of which plastics is a key faction, is the continuing developmentof new and highly engineered materials. Advancementsin molecular chemistry and catalyst technology in the basicpolymers like polyethylene and polypropylene haveimproved important design properties as well as processingrates that keep plastic pipe a competitive alternative toHow have asset management principles and the movetoward sustainability affected the plastic pipe market? Whatis the role of plastic pipe in achieving sustainability forwater/wastewater systems?Perhaps no other issue in recent times has brought greaterattention to plastic pipe than that of sustainability. Starting withjoints, typically the weakest link in any pipe system, traditionalbell and spigot system joins 10- or 20-foot lengths of pipe creatingan opportunity for leaks at every joint. PE pressure pipesystems have a zero-leak rate since the heat fusion process producesa monolithic pipeline, including fittings. This preventsloss of treated potable water and wastewater while also eliminatingsoil, groundwater and root infiltration as well.Plastic pipe also demonstrates a lower carbon footprint. Lessenergy is required to manufacture PE pipe since it melts at 270degrees Fahrenheit whereas iron melts at 2,700 degrees. Froma transportation standpoint, lighter weight plastic pipe allowsmore feet of pipe per truckload. Most states limit 40-foot trailerloads to 72,000 lbs. Forty-eight-inch diameter reinforced concretepipe used in storm water systems weighs approximately1,100 lbs per foot. Made in 8-foot lengths, this weight restrictionwould limit the load to 64 feet of concrete pipe. The same40-foot trailer would carry 120 feet of 48-inch corrugated PEpipe, cutting the number of delivery loads practically in half.Furthermore, the total weight of the load would be 3,700 lbs,thus requiring less fuel and less stress to the road. And duringinstallation, PE pipe’s flexibility and durability make it the preferredmaterial for trenchless installations including horizontaldirectional drilling, pipe bursting and sliplining. With less dis-36 Water Utility Infrastructure ManagementNovember/December 2010