Residents urge TCPUD to reconsider plastic pipe use, citing wildfire contamination and health risks

Two residents urged the Tahoe City PUD board to reconsider proposed pipe materials for the district's projects. Michelle Miller said she and other seniors rely on long-term safe water and called PEX piping a potential "guinea pig" experiment; she urged the district to favor metal pipes where feasible. "My point is that while we have an opportunity to not use PEX pipes, it would be prudent for us to use metal pipes," Miller said.

Monica Evans echoed those concerns and cited post-wildfire benzene contamination in other communities, noting benzene is a known carcinogen and that organotins and other compounds are already documented to leach from some plastic pipes. Staff and a board member responded that the materials used meet American Water Works Association installation recommendations and California Division of Drinking Water requirements, that the plans were reviewed by state regulators, and that the district will present technical details and FAQ items at future outreach to address these questions.