Welcome to the
PVC Pipe Association

NEW PVC PIPE IN DEEP-BURY APPLICATIONS

FEA Modeling and Field Inspection of PVC Sewer Pipe

Finite-element analysis and laser profiling of in-service PVC sewer pipes in deep-burial applications.

CLICK HERE for report.

DESIGN CALCULATORS

Several online calculators are available to assist engineers and end users with the design of PVC piping systems.

• External Load Design
• Internal Pressure Design
• Cyclic Life
• Thrust Restraint
• Hydraulic for Pressure NEW
• Hydraulic for Nonpressure NEW

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND TECHNICAL BRIEFS

Access more than 75 one-page Technical Briefs for answers to the most commonly asked questions about PVC water and sewer pipe, health and safety, as well as information on competitive pipe materials.

CLICK HERE for technical briefs.

WATER MAIN BREAK STUDY

New report confirms PVC is the most widely used water pipe material in the US and Canada with the lowest break rate.

Water Main Break Rates in the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study

Utah State University
Utah Water Research Laboratory

CLICK HERE for study.

FRENCH TRANSLATION NOW AVAILABLE

CLICK HERE for French translation.

LCA FOR PVC PIPE

Life Cycle Assessment of PVC Water and Sewer Pipe and Comparative Sustainability Analysis of Pipe Materials

Comparative analysis and environmental review of underground piping shows PVC pipe has fewer environmental impacts and life cycle costs over a 100-year life.

CLICK HERE for report.

CLICK HERE for Spanish translation.
CLICK HERE for French translation.

PVC PRESSURE PIPE TAPPING GUIDE

Newly revised tapping guide for PVC pipe includes sections on:

(1) Introductory material;
(2) Direct tapping;
(3) Saddle tapping;
(4) Sleeve tapping

CLICK HERE for report.

CLICK HERE for Spanish translation.

FORCE MAIN DESIGN GUIDE FOR PVC PIPE

Guide for PVC sewer force mains uses recently developed method for cyclic-life design, which refers to the number of years PVC pipe can withstand cyclic pressures. Design procedure and examples are provided, along with additional considerations.

CLICK HERE for Guide.

NEW 6TH EDITION HANDBOOK OF PVC PIPE

Everything you need to know about PVC pipe: materials, manufacture, design and installation.

Get the facts on why PVC pipe is the most widely used piping material for underground infrastructure today.

CLICK HERE to buy the Handbook, preview it, or get your FREE one-time download of up to three chapters.

VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

Specifying, Designing, and Installing PVC Water and Sewer Pipe

Participate in two, three-hour online courses over two days (June 4-5, 2025) and obtain a complete evaluation of PVC water and sewer pipe applications. Get up to 6.0 PDHs! Ideal for long-time as well as new users of PVC pipe.

CLICK HERE to register.

PVC PIPE STANDARDS SHEETS

Your quick reference guide of applicable standards for PVC pressure, sewer and reclaimed water pipe:

• Pressure Pipe Standard for Water Mains
• Gravity Sewer Pipe Standards
• Force Main Sewer Pipe Standards
• Reclaimed Water Pipe Standards

THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF PVC PIPE

Health, safety, and the environment: PVC pipe’s performance is outstanding across the board.

CLICK HERE for paper.

PVC PIPE LONGEVITY REPORT

AFFORDABILITY & THE 100+ YEAR BENCHMARK STANDARD

A Comprehensive Study on PVC Pipe Excavations, Testing, & Life Cycle Analysis

By Steven Folkman, Ph.D., P.E., Utah State University, Buried Structures Laboratory

CLICK HERE for report.

CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE FOR INSTALLATION OF GASKETED PVC WATER/SEWER PIPE

Easy-to-use “reversible book” format assists readers to quickly access information.

 
Provides preferred methods of installation based on field experience, published reports, and other industry sources that will help users be more effective and efficient at installing PVC piping systems.

Now Available in Spanish!

CLICK HERE to order your copy now.

MAJOR PVC PIPE MARKETS

Corrosion-proof PVC is the number one piping material used in North America. Use it for all of your infrastructure projects.

• Force Mains
• Reclaimed Water
• Sanitary Sewer
• Storm Sewer
• Trenchless
• Water

NEW LARGE-DIAMETER PVC VS. FIBERGLASS FOR SEWER PROJECTS

Comparison of PVC and fiberglass large-diameter sewer pipes.

CLICK HERE for technical paper.

EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS

Participate in our online webinars and learn about the design, specification and installation of PVC pipe for water and sewer projects.

PVC pipe for municipal applications is available in sizes from 3 to 60 inches.

CLICK HERE for more information.

SAMPLE SPECIFICATIONS FOR PVC WATER AND SEWER PIPES

Sample specifications are provided for three applications (water, sewer, and force main) as well as for PVCO pipe and pipeline sustainability.

1. Potable water
2. Gravity sewer
3. Sewer force mains
4. PVCO pipe
5. Sustainable piping

CLICK HERE for the sample specifications.

PIPE MATERIAL COMPARISONS

Find out how PVC stacks up against other water and sewer pipe materials. Learn about the important technical criteria to consider when selecting underground piping for your community.

• PVC vs. Ductile Iron (DI) Pressure Pipe for Water Mains
• PVC vs. Fiberglass (FRP) Gravity Sewer
• PVC vs. HDPE Pressure Pipe for Water Mains
   

CLICK HERE for a complete list.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION

The first ISO-compliant, peer-reviewed, industry-wide EPD for water and sewer pipe in North America. Benchmarks the impacts of PVC pipe products across their life cycles. Fully transparent and certified by NSF International as an industry best practice. Verified LCA Conformity to Product Category Rule and ISO 14025.

CLICK HERE for 2023 EPD.

CLICK HERE for 2015 EPD.

HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS: PUMPING COSTS FOR PVC AND DUCTILE IRON PIPE

Using accepted hydraulic theory and pump design, this technical report examines head loss and pumping costs over 100-years for PVC and ductile iron pipe. When industry-accepted data are used, PVC pipe is shown to be more efficient.

CLICK HERE for technical report.