Water Main Break Rates in the USA and Canada
Utah State University, Buried Structures Laboratory
Major Findings:
- PVC pipe has the lowest overall failure rate when compared to cast iron, ductile iron, steel and asbestos cement pipes;
- Corrosion is a major cause of water main breaks;
- Newer, thinner-walled ductile iron pipe is experiencing failures more rapidly than older cast iron pipes.
According to Utah State University, from 2012 to 2018:
- In North America, water main breaks have increased by 27%
- Asbestos cement pipe breaks have increased by 46%
- Cast iron pipe breaks have increased by 43%
- Ductile iron (DI) pipe failure rates have increased by 13%
- PVC pipe breaks have decreased by 10%
Water Pipe Break Rates, 2012 -2018
