Stainless Steel Pipes for Drinking Water: A Potential Copper Replacement

Drinking water is an essential. When the means of distribution of this necessity causes health and agricultural problems, solutions must be found.

For years, copper pipes have been the main transporters of drinking water to taps in commercial and residential areas. What civilians are not aware of are the health and environmental risks of drinking from copper pipes.

Copper is a rather soft and malleable metal because of its face-centred cubic atomic lattice. Although plumbers benefit from its elasticity, involuntary intake of a considerable amount of copper may lead to copper fever, a flu-type condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the copper content of drinking water must not exceed 2 mg/litre.

In soil, copper attaches to organic matter and minerals. It is difficult to break down and accumulates in plants and animals. Since copper takes a long time to degrade, it poses a huge threat to the agricultural industry.

The drought in South Africa urged Stage 2 and 3 water restrictions, pushing the urgency for preserving drinking water to a troublesome degree. John Tarboton, Executive Director of the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA) stated that stainless steel was one way to solve the problem.

Tarboton sees the high-value potential of stainless steel for service piping the delivery of water. Manufacturers design purpose stainless tube fittings, creating perfect connections between a pair of drinking water tongs, reducing the number of leakages as well as filtration costs.

Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel is more cost-effective than copper with a promise of long-term sustainability. High-quality steel fittings last for more than 50 years and even more so with proper maintenance, enduring many kinds of natural calamities and corrosions.

While initial costs of stainless steel could put off many engineers from incorporating them into drinking water transportation systems, the cost-effectiveness improves in the long run. If you are ready to get steel fittings for your next project, do not hesitate to contact Europress today.