In cases where acidic water needs to move through a piping system, PVC piping should be employed as opposed to copper because copper piping can degrade in the presence of acidic water. Pinhole leaks may form in copper piping where acidic water passes through. Copper piping is more ideal for moving neutral to slightly basic water supplies.
PVC pipes offer resistance to corrosion, condensation and abrasion. They also feature high impact strengths and remain quite flexible compared to other types of piping. Copper pipes are quite durable and will not promote bacterial growth. They offer a high melting point and remain bendable, making it easy to avoid or bypass underground obstacles.
Both types of piping can leave a distinct taste in the water that passes through them. In some cases, water that moves through copper piping inherits a "metallic" taste. Consumers that drink water that has traveled through a PVC piping system may notice a "plastic-like" taste in the water. Both types of piping are durable but PVC piping is more likely to crack under stress, such as during an earthquake, despite their flexible properties.