Water and wastewater treatment uses oxidising disinfectants, pH-adjustment chemicals, and coagulants that attack many materials. This chart compares materials commonly used in treatment plant piping, tanks, and seals.
A = Excellent B = Good C = Limited D = Not Recommended
PVDF and PTFE are rated A for chlorine and sodium hypochlorite at all concentrations. EPDM is the standard elastomer for chlorinated water service. PVC handles chlorinated water well at room temperature but degrades at higher concentrations and temperatures.
Can HDPE pipes be used for wastewater?
Yes, HDPE is widely used for wastewater conveyance. It has excellent resistance to most wastewater chemicals at room temperature and is available in large diameters for gravity flow. It should be checked against specific chemicals if the wastewater contains solvents or strong oxidisers.