What pipe material for 1000 ft uphill run?

I need to replace a water system, and I'm interested in advice about suitable pipe materials. Basically, I live on a hill with a steep rise. Water comes from the city to the base of the hill, and then I (and my neighbors) each have systems to pump the water up the hill (pressure tank and reservior tank). Length of the run is about 1,000 ft, and the vertical rise is unknown, at least a couple hundred feet.

The easement for the water runs right next to a private road that we use for access. The road is only a single car width, creating the possibility that cars may drive off it and find themselves driving on top of where the pipe is buried. Whatever we build needs to be able to handle this possibility.

We plan to dig a trench and bury our pipes, maybe 3-4 ft down. Because it is so hard to find leaks in this long a run, with a hill, we're interested in a system which will just work, with a long life and low likelihood of breaking. I'm wondering what the best pipe material is for this application.

Cost is not a primary factor. Even expensive pipe costs less than having people search for leaks and dig holes, as I've recently found out the hard way.

I'm attracted by copper and PEX, for their durability and flexibility, but it's not clear that they're available in sufficiently large sizes. My plumber recommends a 2" diameter, to minimize friction in the line.

Any recommendations on my best course of action?

Thanks

Largest size pex pipe out there is 1-1/4" and that's for wirsbo only, your best option is to run PVC, properly welded with glue and primer, properly supported in the ground, use 3/4" minus to pack around the pipe, it can last forever.

They make PE tubing (at least) up to 2" in diameter. I have seen all these diameters too on the truck that the well guys came with when I have my new pump line run.

http://www.cresline.com/pdf/cresline/flexiblepipe&ftgs/pe161hd.pdf

Here's the entire product list if that one isn't what you're interested in.

http://www.cresline.com/cresline_poly.html

IMO,

Never use PE Pipe, is not worth the hassles, can't tell you how many lines I've replaced of this type of piping, in gets pin hole leaks in it, fitting break, it's just not quality piping.

Hmmm, PE I think is all I have seen used here in Minnesota for municipal supply lines and also supply lines from well to residence. Do you think it's because of our severe cold? vs. PEX or PVC?

jrejre

Don't take me wrong here, it's appoved for use in my area, I just don't like the stuff, anything that depends in worm clamps for fitting connection, is not a solid type of connection.

Good concept, but thickness is troublesome.

Hose clamps are great cars and trucks for under the hood, but not for plumbing IMO.