Copper
Piping comes in three grades, M for thin wall pipe used mainly inside
homes, L for thicker wall pipe, used mainly outside for water services
and K, the thickest, used mainly between water mains and the water meter.
Copper lasts a long time, is durable and connects well to valves.
Copper should not be installed if the water has a PH of
6.5 or less. The majority of public utilities supply water
at a PH between 7.2 and 8.0 . Many of the utilities that have
source water with a PH below 6.5 are treating the water to raise the PH.
Private well water systems often have a PH below 6.5. When
this it the case, installing a treatment system to make the water less
acidic becomes a good idea.