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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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ABS contamination of well

2003

I need to know if ground water well casing made of ABS or PVC would leak any chemical compounds after being submerged in water for 10 years or so. Please, give the names of the compounds and possible concentrations.

Thank you very much,

Daniela Bowman
- Santa Fe, New Mexico, US

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2003

Hi Daniela,

Am curious as to WHY you ask that question.

PVC pipe, the normal uPVC pressure pipe, has been allowed for years and years to carry potable water. It is a hard, impermeable plastic which is only attacked by certain solvents and slowly by some, not all, extremely strong acids. I'd imagine you could immerse PVC in water 'till the cows came home with perfect equanimity.

I don't know if ABS could be a contaminant source. I doubt it. Aren't many pumps and/or pump components made from ABS these days for pumping aqueous solutions? Why would they if they could cause problems?

I may be wrong but think that you have nothing to worry about.... which would not be the case if you used steel!

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).