The Milford City Sewer Commission unveiled plans to replace 5,000 feet of cement-lined ductile iron with PVC pipe at a cost of approximately $3.3 million, according to the New Haven Register.

A report presented to the city by engineering firm Westcott and Mapes Inc. revealed that the iron pipe had multiple cracks and “it was only a matter of time before a point in the system [would] experience failure,” which could result in 5.44 million gallons of wastewater spilling out for days before pumps could handle the rate of flow.

The 25-year-old pipe, which was expected to last 50 to 75 years, began cracking due to the creation of sulfuric acid in the wastewater that was mixing with air at the pumping station, according to the report.

Mark Davis, of Westcott and Mapes, said PVC was the best option to replace the pipe, as it was less likely to deteriorate and cause further problems. “The original pipe is corroded and PVC is the only option that will fix the problem and ensure that there is no threat of future collapse or breaks.”

City Engineer Robert Brinton said the city is “almost exclusively using PVC pipe these days because of its resistance to chemical accumulation and degradation.” He added that the only reason PVC pipe was not initially used for the pipe was because it was not made in the size needed 25 years ago.