The Holland BPW maintains the portion of each individual water service from the public main (typically in the street) to the curb valve.  The 'curb valve' is the valve that is usually buried in the front yard between the sidewalk and the curb.  This valve is used to isolate the water service to the home and allows Holland BPW water crews to turn off the customer's service when requested for a seasonal disconnect.

From this valve into the home, it is the customer's responsibility to maintain.

Many water services replaced or installed from the 1970's to the mid 1990's used a materials called Polybutylene.  This is a plastic pipe that is either gray or blue in color.  This material has shown a pattern of early failure.  Water pipes should last at least 50 years or more.  Polybutylene water services have had a history of failing within the first 20-30 years of installation.  Although this pipe material is approved for use by the Michigan Plumbing Code, the Holland BPW does not recommend installing this material for use in chlorinated public water distribution systems or in private water services.  The Holland BPW tries to remove this pipe from it's portion of the system and replace it with copper lines whenever possible.

You may have heard that there was a class action lawsuit regarding this material.  This was a case known as Cox vs. Shell Oil.  Unfortunately, the eligibility to join this lawsuit has passed.  For more information, you may go to the following websites:

www.polybutylenelawsuit.com or www.pbpipe.com

Another helpful resource is: www.polybutylene.com

How do I know if I have Polybutylene Pipe?

PB pipe is usually gray or blue, can be identified by the PB2110 stamp, and should not be confused with PEX, PVC, or CPVC.

We recommend that you hire a qualified, licensed plumber to replace the water service.  You must contact the Holland BPW to have the water service shut off to enable the replacement and for an inspection.  It is illegal for anyone other than the Holland BPW to operate the curb valve.  The charge for a water service inspection fee is $53.

If the water service between the public main and the curb valve is not copper and the customer elects to replace their water service between the curb valve and the home, the Holland BPW will replace the water service between the main and the curb valve at no additional cost to the customer.  Be sure to schedule this work with the Water/Wastewater Services group at least one week prior to the service being replaced.

Please call 616.355.1564 or email waterengineer@hollandbpw.com if you have questions or concerns.