After years of discussion and multiple costly water breaks, the City of Prescott has opted to eliminate PVC pipe as a material for new water mains.
While the change is expected to make Prescott’s water mains less vulnerable to future water breaks, it also will add to the cost of building a subdivision.
In a 7-0 vote Tuesday, Feb. 23, the Prescott City Council approved a code change that effectively bans the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes in new city water mains.
That amends the existing code, which allowed PVC pipe as an alternate material when approved by the city engineer and installed in accordance with city standards.
To help offset the expected cost increase from the use of ductile iron pipe instead of PVC, the council also agreed to several construction changes intended to bring down the overall cost of development.
