HDPE pipe provides the lowest life cycle cost when compared to other systems due to significantly reduced or no leakage, increased billable dollars, water conservation, fewer new water-treatment plants, reduced maintenance crews, reduced seasonal water-main breaks, and no loss in flow capacity over the long term. Refer to paper by CSIRO, Life Cycle Analysis of Water Networks, presented at Plastics Pipe XIV, Budapest, 2008.

Yes. It is safe when manufactured, used, or incinerated. It helps preserve water and electricity as there is no loss of water through the fused joint.

HDPE pipe should be pressure tested in accordance with PPI recommendations, (NOTE: other bell and spigot pipes are tested differently than HDPE – i.e. allowable leakage rates of bell and spigot versus expansion of PE ) For detailed information on this subject, refer to Chapter 2 of PPI’s Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe, 2nd ed. and to ASTM F2164, Standard Practice for Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Piping Systems Using Hydrostatic Pressure.

If the ditch can be dewatered and the pipe dried off, fusion repair may be used. Otherwise a mechanical repair is recommended. Also, refer to PPI TN-35, General Guidelines Repairing Buried HDPE Potable Water Pressure Pipes.