Pipe materials for water ...

Pipe materials for water supply

Dear Davis, in the UK all pipe materials for use in supply of water have to be approved by the Drinking Water Inspectorate under its regulation 25. You can see a full listing of all materials at http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/drinking-water-products/approved-products/soslistcurrent.pdf 

As you stated the question most materials can be used provided they have been approved. 

Relies from others alude to the difference in performance in different situations and you would do well to look at a pipe material selection guideline manual; especially one from the Middle East where there are distinct conditions. For example plastic pipes will degrade in strong ultra-violet light and so unless pipes are stored under cover this could be a constraint. Similarly there are some examples of extremely aggressive ground conditions in terms of corrosivity. So here it would be prudent to consider carefully whether metallic pipelines were suitable. I've even seen concrete and clay pipes attacked in Al-Ain. 

Trends in Europe in recent years have been towards plastic pipes but for specialist applications other materials come into their own. North America has seen a slower uptake of plastic materials but plastics are now making greater inroads. It's not just the pipe materials which are important but rather that designers and specifiers understand the systems and materials and their constraints. In particular it is not just about the pipes themselves but rather how whole systems come together and how pipes are jointed and fitted to things like valves and hydrants as well as how house connections are made.