Document qkZveBb3gvKgm0yO5vVjV90qM

Edward Howard &CO. Public Relations Counsel Cleveland and Akron, Ohio an affiliate of Hill and Knowlton, Inc One Cascade Plaza, Akron, Ohio 44308 216-376-6500 FAX: 216-376-9379 to: As Listed * from: Dan Stanowick subject: AWWA Letter date: February 18, 1992 copies to: Bob Burnett PRO Members Nora Jacobs Dave Meeker The attached is from the current (February) issue of AWWA Journal. It is an abbreviated version of a letter you helped draft last year in response to a technical article about plastic pipe permeation. Even at this late date, the letter delivers several important messages about PVC pipe, not the least of which is that those of us who support its use stand ready to defend it from unwarranted attacks. * Roy Gottesman Don Goodman Mike Barish Bob Walker 1v u rt- Snerry CTL029270 LETTERS jAo\ uma AC Ban Lifted I read with interest the article in the November 1991 Journal about the Loma Prieta earthquake. I was concerned, how ever, about the inaccuracy of a statement on page 38 that begins "it is recognized that installation of AC [asbestos-cement 1 pipe has ceased in the United States be cause of potential health risks associated with its use___ " It is true that in 1986 the US Environmental Protection Agency did issue a rule that would have banned the manufacture, use, and installation of AC pipe. But this ban was reversed by a court decision Oct. 18,1991. Yourreaders need to know that AC pipe is still being manu factured and installed in the United States. B.J. Pigg A/C Pipe Producers Association The November Journal went to press be fore the court decision was issued. An an nouncement of the court's decision to over turn the ban appeared in the Update section ofthe December Journal.--Editor Article on PVC Pipe Raises Questions An article in the August 1991 issue ("Contamination of Potable Water by Per meation of Plastic Pipe" by Thomas H-. Holsen et al) cited several extreme exam ples in which potable water conveyed by plastic pipe had been contaminated by the permeation of certain chemicals. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe was not cited in those examples but was reported to have been implicated in a few other incidents. I am concerned that doubts may have been raised about PVC's true performance prop erties relating to water quality. PVC pipe has long been known through out the water industry for delivering water without affecting quality and purity. Exten sive studies in this country and abroad-- the results of which have been published in Journal AWWA over the years--con firm that PVC pipe can be used to transport water without harming consumers. A study carried out in 1983 for the Vinyl Institute by Battelle Memorial Institute un dertook a series of tests to compare the susceptibility of ductile iron, PVC, and as bestos-cement pipe to permeation. In the case of all three materials permeation did occur, but only at pipe joints, not through pipe walls--showing that any gasketed pipe system (including metal) is vulnerable to extreme concentrations of soil contami nants. Additional testing showed that non- gasketed PVC pipe was highly resistant to permeation. Anyone who would like additional infor mation about PVC pipe's water quality properties may request a copy of a recently updated technical bulletin on the subject from our offices at (201) 890-9299. Roy T. Gottesman The Vinyl Institute I found Holsen's article interesting and valuable. I have a comment, however, about the conclusion that sand should not be used as a backfill in place of native soil. On the basis of the data and analysis in the article, I agree. But what if the chemical intrusion was a one-time occurrence rather than the implied steady-state value? Sand would seem better in such a case because the organic chemical could leach out rap idly and no longer be in the vicinity of the pipe. Soil, on the other hand, would retain the organic chemical and provide a long term source that would permit permeation. Without having done any calculations, I expect the choice of backfill would depend on the assumed behavior of the source. James R. Divine ChemMet Ltd. Holsen responds: I agree with Divine's observation that, under certain scenarios, sand used as backfill may better protect pipes against permeation by organic chem icals than soils of higher organic content However, because plastic pipes are almost exclusively used in the vadose zone, it is unlikely that a pipe would be exposed to a pulse of organic chemical followed by ex tensive leaching of clean water that would remove the contaminant If such a situation did arise and the activity of the organic chemical near the pipe was low enough that permeation rales were slower than leaching rates, sand might better protect the pipe from permeauon than soils. Erratum In the January Roundtable, two photos were labeled wrong, although the quotes that appeared below the photographs were attributed to the proper speaker. The two participants are correctly identified below. Gerald R. Iwan A.T. Rolan 4 CTL029271 Editor NANCY M. ZELIG Managng Editor Associate Editor AWWA News Editor Associate AWNA News Editor CorvnOutmg Eckiors Edtorial Assistants MARCIA LACEY LINDA BEVARD MARY A. PARMELEE JOE REID JILL HORSNAR. FREDERICK W. PONTIUS MARK A. SCHARFENAKE SHARON WILSON MARY CAROL BELL An Director DIANE MANAGAN An Assoaate ROSE HANKISH Production Manager Production Editor Typesetters ALVIN PLOFSKY SAN0RA MANOELL UNOA YEAZEL BILL SHANAHAN Circulation Manager BARBARA ENGLAND Senior Sales Manager Markesng Sales Manager Promotions Manager Advertising Coortfnator BEVERLY GIPSON LUCY WILKINSON HAYES JOHN D. KAYSER JO ANNE SMITH eoitorial advisory boaro GLEN H. ABPLANALP, J. DARRELL BAKKEN, RICHARO J. BULL, JOSEPH A. COTRUVO, GLEN A DOTY, WILLIAM A. KELLEY, WILLIAM H. MILLER. RICHARD H. MOSER, BETTY H. OLSON, PAUL V. ROBERTS. JAMES M. SYMONS, R. RHODES TRUSSELL Microfilm and Microfiche Editions: By University Microfilms. 300 N Zeeb Rd,, Ann Arbor. k 48106 (for JOURNAL AWWA subsenbers only) Reprints and Back Issues: For Any JOURNAL trade from 1914 to present or for bi ssues up to 24 months old. order from AWWA Member S vices Dept.. 6666 W. Quincy Ave. Denver. CO 60235. Photocopying Conditions: Authorization to photocopy items lor internal or personal t oc tv Ye use ot specAic cfcerns is granted by AWWA fcbrsnes and other users regptared w*h the Copyright Cfc ance Carter (CCC) Transactional Reporting Service, prone mat the base lee of S2 per copy of an enure ancle or tern paid duectfy to CCC. 21 Congress St. Salem, k 01970. Prowl* u% following cod* wii payment* 003-1 SOX/ S2. Th* above consent does not extend to other kinds copying, such as copytfig for general distribution, advemsir seating new coflsctivs works, or resale. Executive, Editorial, Production, 4 Advertising Offices 6666 W Quincy Ave . Denver. CO 80235: (303) 794-7711 A Pubtteatkon of the American Water Works Associate JOHN B. MANNON. Executive Director NORMAN UDEVIT2. Director of Pubkcauons MARK ASUSAMRA. Dvedor of Marketing JOURNAL AWWA (ISSN 0003-1 SOX) published monthly me American Water Wonts Association Copyright 1991 AWWA Second-class postage pari at Oenvar. Colo., and addiaonsl maikng offices Postmaster: Send address chan form 3579 io Amencan Water Works Association 6666 Quincy Ave . Denver, CO 80235 Subscriptions: S28 member t dues see applied as a subscription to v JOURNAL, addtfenaf subscriptions, sold only to most r efegrtW lor AWWA membership, are $85 (SiiO outside Not America), single copies are $6 (S9 outstie Norm Amtnc. Missing Issues: Contact AWWA Member Services Depa mem concerning any problems with receipt of issues Clair for mujmg issues must be submsted upon raced of r following issue Allow 90 days for change of address notife uon Indexing: indexed annualy me December issue JOURNAL AWWA and regularly by Ap#*d Sconce 6 Tec nofogy index. Srofogreaf Abstracts. Chemical Abstrac fryweennp fodex M*a/ Abstracts. Oceanc Abstracts. Pol ii0ti Abstracts. Selected Water Resources Absiraci Environmental Periodicals Btbiograpby, and WATERNE CODEN: JAWWA5 77(2)1-130 (1991) JOURNAL AWW/