You will find unlimited different opinions on piping options. Almost impossible to sort it all out. Part of the confusion comes from the fact that pipe leaching is a combination of the properties of the pipe and your water chemistry, which you did not mention. At my old house I had copper pipe with 50/50 tin/lead solder joints, and relatively acidic well water. Pipes failed after about 40 years of service, pinhole leaks, solder failure. Newer copper pipe installation may use crimp fittings, and if the water is close to neutral may last well over 50 years with minimal leaching. Personally I like Wirsbo PEX, the polyethylene should be pretty inert, but there are chemicals used in the manufacturing that could leach. I do not think you will find a totally inert pipe, but you will find a lot of opinions. Answer from MrFinnbo on reddit.com
535 Plumbing
535plumbing.com › 2021 › 06 › 15 › safest-pipe-for-drinking-water
What Are The Safest Pipes For Drinking Water? | 535 Plumbing
March 15, 2024 - You should replace those pipes if you find more than 1 mg per liter of copper particles in your water. Plastic pipes, such as CPVC, and PEX are pipe materials that are safe for drinking water.
Baylorinc
baylorinc.com › home › blog › what is the safest pipe for drinking water?
What is the Safest Pipe for Drinking Water? | Baylor Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
July 31, 2022 - Copper pipes are one of the safest and most popular choices for drinking water pipes, and for good reason. Copper is a naturally occurring element that is found in rocks, soil, and water. It is also an essential trace element in the human diet.
Videos
04:11
PEX vs Copper Pipes | Ask This Old House - YouTube
08:13
The Easiest Water Pipe To Install for your PLUMBING System! - YouTube
00:59
Selecting Potable Water Pipes for Your House - YouTube
02:27
Safest Plumbing for Drinking Water - YouTube
03:40
PVC vs Copper vs PEX vs Galvanized Plumbing Pipes: Find The Best ...
05:14
How to Choose Water Supply Piping | This Old House - YouTube
Is it safe to use galvanized pipes for drinking water?
Galvanized pipes can corrode and release harmful elements into water, so they are not recommended for drinking water.
en.lesso.com
en.lesso.com › blogs › what is the safest pipe for drinking water?
What is the safest pipe for drinking water?
Do brass pipes pose any health risks for drinking water?
Brass pipes can contain lead, which may leach into water, especially in hot water systems, posing health risks.
en.lesso.com
en.lesso.com › blogs › what is the safest pipe for drinking water?
What is the safest pipe for drinking water?
How can I test if my home's water pipes are safe?
You can have your water tested for contaminants or hire a professional to inspect the condition and material of your pipes.
en.lesso.com
en.lesso.com › blogs › what is the safest pipe for drinking water?
What is the safest pipe for drinking water?
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › which pipes are safest (don't leach chemicals)
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Which pipes are safest (don't leach chemicals)
December 28, 2020 -
We have purchased a new home that has polybutylene piping, so for peace of mind we are looking to replace all the pipes.
However, we are unsure what type of pipes we should get. We have seen the following options:
Copper
CPVC
Pex (Pex A and Pex B)
Polypropylene
What's most important to us is that there is no/minimal chemical leeching into the water. There seems to be a ton of conflicting sources/articles on this. Does anyone have any data or guidance on which pipes would be the safest for drinking water?
Top answer 1 of 3
6
You will find unlimited different opinions on piping options. Almost impossible to sort it all out. Part of the confusion comes from the fact that pipe leaching is a combination of the properties of the pipe and your water chemistry, which you did not mention. At my old house I had copper pipe with 50/50 tin/lead solder joints, and relatively acidic well water. Pipes failed after about 40 years of service, pinhole leaks, solder failure. Newer copper pipe installation may use crimp fittings, and if the water is close to neutral may last well over 50 years with minimal leaching. Personally I like Wirsbo PEX, the polyethylene should be pretty inert, but there are chemicals used in the manufacturing that could leach. I do not think you will find a totally inert pipe, but you will find a lot of opinions.
2 of 3
3
Copper
Mr. Rooter
mrrooter.com › home › about us/blog › the pros and cons of different types of plumbing
The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Plumbing Pipes
Type L: This medium thickness tends to be the type of choice for transporting drinking water. As with Type M, this type works well for interior hot and cold supply lines. Type K: This type has the thickest walls, making it ideal for harsh conditions.
Call 3158874057
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LESSO
en.lesso.com › blogs › what is the safest pipe for drinking water?
What is the safest pipe for drinking water?
November 29, 2023 - Copper pipes are designed to last for a long time without leaching harmful chemicals into the drinking water. Plastic pipes that are made from polypropylene or a similar material are also less likely to leach chemicals into the water.
Habitablefuture
informed.habitablefuture.org › resources › news › 114-what-to-know-when-selecting-water-pipes
What to Know When Selecting Water Pipes - Informed
The materials we use to deliver our drinking water matter to our health and the health of our planet, and HBN recently released a new Water Pipes Hazard Spectrum comparing the impacts of different materials used for interior water intake pipes from a health perspective.
Desopipe
desopipe.com › home › news › ppr vs. pvc: which is better for drinking water?
PPR vs. PVC: Which Is Better for Drinking Water? | DESO Group
April 25, 2025 - PPR water pipe is widely considered the best pipe for drinking water due to its food-grade material, durability, and chemical resistance.
Environmental Working Group
ewg.org › healthyhomeguide › plumbing-and-pipes
Plumbing & Pipes | EWG’s Healthy Living: Home Guide
A 2009 California Building Standards Commission study found that MTBE leaching from PEX pipes declines rapidly over time, but some leaching may still occur. - Copper pipes with lead-free joint materials are the best choice for water ...
The Spruce
thespruce.com › types-of-pipe-used-for-water-2718736
What Kind of Pipes Are Used for Drinking Water?
October 27, 2024 - Follow us to see more of our stories on Google. Follow Us On ... CPVC, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, is used for transporting hot and cold water and is safe for drinking water.
DoItYourself.com
doityourself.com › doityourself.com community forums › plumbing, piping, water heating, wells, air & water filtration and conditioning › plumbing and piping › type of pipe for outdoor potable water run
Type of pipe for outdoor potable water run - DoItYourself.com Community Forums
May 5, 2010 - ... You can run regular PVC piping and paint it if you want extra UV protection. As the pipe is exposed to UV, it will become harder and be more likely to break if struck or exposed to a sudden pressure increase.
Permis
permies.com › t › 160845 › PVC-hdpe-poly-drinking-water
PVC vs hdpe/poly for drinking water line (wells and springs forum at permies)
I've read a lot of places saying ... pvc: - we already have it here, saves maybe $100 Now that I've written this down I lean strongly toward getting hdpe pipe....
Mike Williams PHC
mikewilliams.net › home › blog › are copper and pvc water pipes safe for drinking water?
Are Copper and PVC Water Pipes Safe for Drinking Water? - Mike Williams PHC
November 3, 2025 - In short, the answer is a resounding “yes.” In fact, these are some of the safest pipes for drinking water around. If you’re ready for an installation, all you have to do is review your options and select the material that works best for you and your needs.
All Aloha Plumbing
allalohaplumbing.com › how-to-choose-the-right-pipe-for-your-drinking-water-system
How to Choose the Right Pipe For Your Drinking Water System
August 13, 2025 - Understanding these attributes helps in selecting the best water pipe for your specific needs, ensuring both safety and durability in your plumbing system. PEX tubing offers several advantages for drinking water systems:
Habitablefuture
informed.habitablefuture.org › product-guidance › 13-water-pipes
Potable Water Piping Product Guidance - Informed
Numerous authoritative bodies consider ... methods avoids the potential for exposure to lead and other heavy metals.[15] While copper pipes contain the fewest hazards, it is important to note that they may not be the best choice when the drinking water supply is expected to be acidic ...
Puget Sound Plumbing
pugetsoundplumbing.com › home › blog › what is the safest plumbing pipe?
What Is the Safest Plumbing Pipe in Seattle, WA
September 19, 2025 - Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is a tougher form of PVC that can withstand a wider temperature range, making it appropriate for water supply lines. Because of its increased chlorine content and other aspects of its chemical makeup, CPVC ...
Quora
quora.com › What-are-pipes-for-potable-water-typically-made-out-of-nowadays
What are pipes for potable water typically made out of nowadays? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): Just about every type of pipe imaginable is the short answer, but let me elaborate. I have worked in 7 different water/wastewater treatment plants and have seen just about every type of pipe used. For potable water inside the treatment plants, concrete or epoxy lined steel tanks ...
HouseLogic
houselogic.com › organize-maintain › home-maintenance-tips › plumbing-pipe-types
Plumbing Pipe: Which is Safest, Easiest, Best?
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RPG Calgary Ltd.
rpgcalgary.ca › home › best pipe for water supply in home – home plumbing guide
Best Pipe for Water Supply in Home | Plumbing Guide
August 14, 2024 - From an aesthetic standpoint, these ... cold water supply. One of the most common or best pipes for cold water supply is a PEX pipe....
Topline Industries
toplineindustries.in › home › blogs › types of pipes used for drinking water
Different Types of Water Pipes Used for Drinking | Topline Industries
October 3, 2025 - Cross-linked Polyethylene or PEX pipes As PEX are considered as the best pipe for water supply in home because it is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures, therefore these pipes are commonly used in both hot as well as cold water lines.
NEIT
neit.edu › home › blog › the 5 types of plumbing pipes
Types of Plumbing Pipes | Learn What the Top 5 Are in This Post | NEIT
December 20, 2021 - Drawbacks surrounding PVC pipe include limited size options, an inability to withstand hot water, and concerns over toxicity. Though PVC piping meets all standards set by the American National Standards Institute, there are concerns that it ...