As the U.S. accelerates its clean energy transition, copper has become indispensable in critical...
Access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for public health. Unfortunately, an estimated 9.2 million lead service lines are still buried underground across the country. The replacement and new construction material decisions made now by city officials, building owners, and installers will have effects long into the future.
With federal and non-federal funding sources available to assist states and water utilities with lead service line replacement (LSLR), it’s time to focus on selecting a safe, long-lasting replacement material. As economically alluring as it might be to pursue patchwork solutions or use cheaper materials, investing in a long-term solution that prioritizes residents' health and safety is a sign of strong leadership.
Material Selection
Copper has been the top choice for plumbing in developed areas for over 100 years due to its durability, reliability, and versatility. It offers standard sizes with varying wall thicknesses known as Type K, and L, and M for varying needs. Its impermeability ensures water quality by preventing contamination and naturally inhibits microbial growth, promoting health without releasing harmful substances.
Resistant to corrosion, high pressure, and stress, copper outperforms materials that crack or rupture and remains unaffected by UV rays and oxidizing disinfectants, thus reducing failure risks. Copper is fully recyclable without property loss and supports a sustainable, circular lifecycle and economy.
While plastic pipes present a cheaper yet problematic option, copper stands out as a reliable and durable alternative. Despite concerns over rising copper demand, there is sufficient domestic supply to meet the need for replacing lead pipes. Furthermore, using American-made copper can qualify projects for federal funding.
“Copper is a proven, reliable, and durable product ideal for buried underground applications. In contrast, PFAS, also known as 'forever chemicals,' are human-made chemicals that are a cause for concern,” says Eric Pilas, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Cerro Flow Products LLC.
“On the other hand, copper is derived from a natural mineral, which we simply transform into a new shape of plumbing tube. Drinking water is one of the main sources of PFAS contamination, which is why using copper tubes should provide the public with peace of mind regarding safety.”
Copper is a natural mineral reshaped for plumbing use, and it has been proven to be safe and durable.
Full Replacement, Not Partial
The CDA advocates for 100% replacement of lead material in the ground. It opposes considering pipe lining or coating technologies as valid replacements for lead service lines, stressing complete removal for public health and safety. Systems should offer fully funded replacement options to customers and provide risk mitigation strategies before infrastructure or emergency repair work.
Point-of-use filters are temporary solutions until the lead service line or GRR replacement is complete, ensuring long-term safety, particularly in underserved communities. Due to their limitations, dielectric fittings, particularly dielectric unions, are not recommended for long-term underground use.
Supply Concerns Shouldn’t Cause Substitution: Feedback From Copper Tube Manufacturers
Domestic manufacturers such as CDA Members, Mueller Streamline, Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC and Cerro Flow Products LLC (among others) can meet immediate demands.
“Cerro is responding to the surge in demand by consistently enhancing and modernizing our facility to boost capacity and efficiency without compromising our stringent quality standards,” says Cerro’s Pilas.
“Concurrently, there has been a rise in demand for copper in various industries, such as Electric Vehicles, which has strained raw material supplies,” he continues. “Proactively, Cerro has secured contracts with major copper producers to fortify our position in the supply chain,” he continues.
“Fortunately, Cerro is part of the Marmon Group / Berkshire Hathaway. Marmon has several companies that supply copper to a variety of industries and have a good pulse on the raw materials. Additionally, Cerro sources most of our raw materials domestically, and we manufacture in the USA,” Pilas explains. “We are not constrained by tariffs, logistic delays at seaports, or in-land intermodal.”
Cerro has also upgraded its operations to adopt LEAN and agile practices. They promote continuous improvement in every facet of the organization to enhance serviceability and optimize the overall customer experience. Their website features a comprehensive collection of "transparency" documents that endorse the sale of copper tube, including BABAA compliance, REACH, RoHS, and TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act Compliance). With this information, owners, engineers, contractors, and distributors can trust that they have selected the ideal material solution for their needs.
Devin Malone, President of Mueller Streamline, adds that Mueller has placed significant focus on strategic investments in manufacturing Type K coils, which are used in replacing underground service lines.
“Additionally, we have made substantial investments exceeding $100 million in our domestic copper manufacturing capabilities over the past decade,” explains Malone.
“Leading the industry in this regard, we have prioritized investments in our manufacturing facilities to enhance capacity and efficiency,” he says. These efforts aim to enable Mueller Streamline to effectively handle the increased volume associated with the lead service line initiative.
“We have demonstrated sufficient capacity to meet the rising demand,” Malone continues, “and are confident that there is industry-wide capacity to support the increased need for copper in the lead service line initiative.”
According to Malone, the main bottleneck may arise from labor availability on the utility side and how quickly they can deploy enough workers for these replacements. Copper manufacturers are prepared to manage the increased volume efficiently.
“We are proactively ensuring that utility customers are informed about the benefits of choosing copper over plastic or other materials for lead service line replacements, and we are prepared to meet their supply needs,” Malone continues.
He says Mueller Streamline focuses on educating utility customers about the superiority of copper as a material choice and ensuring seamless supply to accommodate their requirements. Moreover, Mueller has strategically invested in its copper tube mill in Mississippi, including enhancements to manufacturing equipment, physical assets, and process flow. These improvements, such as optimizing plant layout and streamlining operations, aim to boost the throughput of this product category.
Enrique Leizorek, Executive Vice President of Standard Products and Operations of Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC, provides additional feedback stating that the company is committed to continually investing in production capacity to meet market demands.
“As a result, we are proactively recruiting new personnel with the necessary skills for the specific processes required by this product,” says Leizorek. “We will also implement additional shifts within our current infrastructure to support these enhancements.”
According to Leizorek, this project is expected to unfold gradually over the next few years. They are confident in their capacity to meet demand.
“It is unrealistic to expect an immediate and simultaneous fulfillment of increased demand by all mills, he adds. “However, with sufficient lead time and resources, we aim to effectively meet demand over the projected timeline of three to five years.”
This collaborative effort involves multiple domestic manufacturers, giving the CDA confidence in collectively satisfying the demand.
Long-term, a Holistic Approach is Necessary.
As demonstrated, major copper fabricators, such as Cerro Flow, Mueller Streamline, and Cambridge-Lee Industries, are prepared to meet the increased demand. These companies have invested heavily in enhancing their production capacities and efficiency. Cerro Flow, for example, has modernized its facilities and secured supply contracts, while Mueller has invested over $100 million in its domestic manufacturing capabilities. Cambridge-Lee Industries is expanding its workforce and infrastructure to ensure it can meet long-term demands.
Here’s How to Save $$: Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act
On November 15, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA"), Pub. L. No. 117-58, which includes the Build America, Buy America Act ("the Act"). Pub. L. No. 117-58, §§ 70901-52.
“The Act strengthens Made in America Laws and will bolster America’s industrial base, protect national security, and support high-paying jobs. The Act requires that no later than May 14, 2022—180 days after the enactment of the IIJA—the head of each covered Federal agency shall ensure that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States (EPA, 2024).”
In short, the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act offers financial incentives for using domestically produced materials. Projects that opt for American-made copper can benefit from federal funding, making copper safer and more economically viable.
For more details on the benefits of choosing copper over other materials and to discuss your project needs, please contact the Copper Development Association (CDA).
