03/11/2026
PVC piping: the workhorse behind every tap and drop​
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Large municipal PVC pipes start as PVC resin - a synthetic polymer powder composed of roughly chlorine and carbon. The resin is blended with stabilisers and additives, heated, pushed through an extruder, and shaped by a die. It is then generally cooled in a vacuum calibration tank, cut to length, and given a socket at one end so sections can be joined with rubber ring seals.​
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A 400mm diameter pipe flowing at a typical design velocity of 1.5 m/s moves roughly 600,000 litres of water an hour. That is enough to supply thousands of households.​
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Why PVC has replaced older materials like cast iron, steel and asbestos cement:​
✔ Corrosion-resistant, so no rust or scaling​
✔ Smooth bore, so less friction and lower pumping costs​
✔ Lightweight, so faster and safer installation​
✔ Sealed joints that reduce leaks​
✔ A design life of 50+ years​
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Reliable water supply starts underground. These are the building materials that change lives.