Hurricane water board recommends city council review permitting PEX service lines
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Summary
The Hurricane City Water Board voted to recommend that the City Council consider adding a PEX-type service-line option to city standards, citing large per-foot cost differences versus copper and manufacturer warranty claims; board members asked staff to secure the manufacturer's warranty and demonstration materials before the council review.
HURRICANE, Utah — The Hurricane City Water Board voted to recommend that the City Council consider changes to city construction standards that would allow a PEX-style polymer pipe for residential service lines.
Corey, the water-department presenter, told the board the PEX product the city has tested would be used only for service lines (up to 2-inch), not main transmission lines. “Copper just hit $14.60 a foot for copper. We can get this stuff for 96¢ a foot,” Corey said, citing his outreach to utilities in the Western United States.
The recommendation follows a detailed review of proposed standard edits that also add a manufacturer’s bury-line recommendation to the city’s fire-hydrant detail and update setter part numbers. Corey told the board he has spoken with other utilities — including Virgin Valley Water District and several western providers — and that the manufacturer advertises decades of service and warranty coverage.
Board members said they remain cautious because of prior problems the city experienced with HDPE/poly pipe and a related lawsuit that affected replacement decisions in the past. One board member said the city was “snake bit because of the poly pipe” and asked for official warranty documents before the item is presented to the council.
The board moved to recommend the change to the City Council after discussion and a voice vote; the motion was approved by those present. The board asked staff to obtain the manufacturer’s formal warranty and place that documentation in the council packet; Corey said a municipal representative and product demonstration would be at the city's shop the following morning.
Why it matters: Allowing a PEX-style service line could reduce installation costs for developers and the city if long-term performance and warranty terms are verified. Board members stressed that the city will not allow the product’s use until the City Council approves the change and confirmed the vendor’s warranty and performance claims.
What’s next: The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Hurricane City Council. Staff will provide the vendor warranty, demonstration notes and a packet item for the council’s consideration.