The DeKalb Building and Development Association (DBDA) wants to change the local requirement to use cast iron pipes in sewer lines in residential homes.

The DBDA brought the issue to the DeKalb Plumbing Board in order to allow building contractors the choice to use plastic PVC pipes instead of cast iron.

They wanted the issue to be brought to a city council workshop to discuss the matter further, but the Plumbing Board denied the request with a 6-1 vote. Even though the board voted down their request, Sal Bonanno, the president of the DBDA, vows to bring the issue up again.

Bonanno said that the PVC pipes have just as good quality as cast iron; he cannot understand the plumbing board’s decision to continue to require the use of cast iron pipes in the building of residential homes. He also said that using PVC pipes rather than cast iron could save up to $800 in the construction cost of a new home without forfeiting the quality of the pipe.

The cost of the PVC pipes is one of the reasons that Bonanno wants the requirement to be changed. Repair costs for sewage pipes can be very expensive to homeowners.

“By using PVC, people can save a lot of money,” he said. “We’re just trying to help people.”

A poll was conducted by the DBDA from Feb. 5 to 7 of 110 communities in northern Illinois about their local requirements concerning this issue. The questions were specifically directed at the plumbing inspectors from the communities.

The poll found that 79 of the communities, or 71.8 percent, allow the use of PVC, as opposed to the 31 communities that require using cast iron. The poll also found that 74 of the communities allow PVC to be used in commercial buildings.

“DeKalb is the only city in DeKalb County to require cast iron,” Bonanno said. “I don’t understand why they won’t change.”

Other nearby cities such as Naperville, Aurora, Sycamore and St. Charles allow the use of PVC. St. Charles recently approved a change in the requirement. The Illinois State Code states that building contractors are allowed to use either cast iron or PVC pipes in the construction of both residential and commercial buildings.

The issue of whether to change the requirement in commercial buildings in DeKalb was not brought up at the meeting by the DBDA. They have no plans to request a change in commercial buildings also.