QUESTION: Is 90 mm stormwater or sewage pipe safe for potable water? - 29 May 2007 WA, Australia

I am Going to be harvesting the rain water from my roof. Can you tell me If the commonly used 90mm Stormwater pipes have lead in them. Does sewage pipe have lead in it? Thanks.

ANSWER: 18 Sep 2009

Dear Jamie,

I apologise as I was not able to answer earlier due to the lack of staff. The answer to your question is it is my understanding that PVC stormwater and sewage pipes are leaded and generally only intended to be used to take away waste water or storm water ie are laid underground or at the end of downpipes.

The pipes used for potable water are called pressure pipes and, for example, Alan Whittle, Technical Advisor of Iplex Pipelines in Gladesville has written to me on June 28, 2002, to say that: "Iplex Pipelines manufactures and distributes PVC pressure pipes and fittings to AS/NZS 4765 [Modified PVC (PVC-M) pipes for pressure applications] and AS/NZS 1477 [PVC Pipes and fittings for pressure applications]. The products are available in a wide range of diameters from 15mm to over 400mm. In the diameters likely to be used for rain water collection [the smaller diameters?] there is available a large range of fittings of various configurations such as bends, tees and adaptors.

Regards

Tapaswini Patel

B.Sc(chemistry), MBA (IM)

Volunteer

See: Iplex Safety Data Sheets