To Protect our Water Supply
Plumbing installation practices can impact drinking
water quality. Copper is an acute contaminant that
can cause gastrointestinal
upset and other health
problems. Installing copper
pipe incorrectly can increase
the copper concentration
in drinking water above
the national water quality
standard. Metal shavings left in
the pipe can also impact taste
and odor.
To Protect our Environment
Like other heavy metals that accumulate in San
Francisco Bay, excessive copper has a negative
environmental impact. Of the copper discharged
to the Bay from wastewater
treatment plants, about 60%
is believed to be from copper
pipe corrosion. Copper is
acutely toxic to plankton,
and accumulates in shellfish,
affecting their reproduction
and growth. Impacts to these
and other species can upset
the natural balance of species.
Proper Copper Pipe Installation Tips
This handy brochure from the Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group offers tips to copper pipe installers which include:
- System design
- Reaming and cleaning
- Selecting the correct flux and
- Line flushing