Replace or Repair Galvanized Pipe in Irrigation System

Our HOA is approx 30 plus years old and was one of the last HOAs to have galvanized pipe installed in the Irrigation System. The life of this pipe is down to zero and there have been numerous repairs on this system. The landscape company normally repairs small breaks by cutting out the failure and using compression fittings to install a new piece of PVC pipe. We had a meeting the other day attended by about 8 homeowners and the landscape management company. They wanted to explain the conditions we are facing and here are some of their comments:
- Use of recycled water may be coming but the city cannot tell us when. It appears to be about 2-3 years away;
- Galvanized pipe is corroding within and, in some cases, outside;
- Wall thickness of galvanized pipe becomes reduced as corrosion occurs thus reducing the volume and pressure to the engineered system;
- Galvanized pipe is above ground in many cases so you can see when some visible signs appear of buldging or flaking which means a break is developing.
- Spray heads need some replacing since they have become mismatched over the years so spray patterns have changed.

We have had many discussions on whether to replace or repair the system. We have 17 acres of common group that needs to be maintained. A group of homeowners (call them group A) are in favor of continuing to repair citing that the pipe appears to be OK so why go to the expense. Others (call them group B) feel that since the system has zero life left, repairs will be more frequent and the anticipated cost of future repairs could be better spent on having a new system installed.

Some questions/comments that have been raised are:
- When recycled water is the type we are supplied with, does the salinity of the water increase and thus the corrosion of the galvanized pipe increase?
- Does the galvanized pipe have to be changed out to purple pipe above ground? Group A says that when recycled water is supplied, we can simply paint the galvanized pipe purple.
- Does or can galvanized pipe corrode from within while appearing to be fine from outside appearances?
- I've done some research on brownline pipe and its qualities. Does anyone have any pros or cons on this product?
- Group A reasons that costs should come down if replacement is made in the future while Group B feels that a special assessment or increase in dues to cover the replacement project should occur now to take advantage of the economy and costs will only rise in the future. Our HOA is only 25% funded and so we have very little reserves to go forward with this project.

I have galvanized piping and it's best replaced if at all possible. It doesn't age that well and causes alot of broken seals and blockages. I would suggest using "Pex" tubing instead of PVC piping. It's cheaper and more flexible. Plus the installation is much easier. It's pretty much like a garden hose but a bit stiffer. We use it down here in new home construction under poured slabs.

The brown water issue does have some contraversy. In our area, an attempt by the local farmers to use a material that comes from water treatment plants that contains human waste particulates came under scrutiny. There are some unsafe and bad smell associated with it. It's now under review to get banned from use in the area. The brown water you speak of may have similar qualities as this fertilizer. It's unsettling to some people.

If I were you, I would consult some irrigation/landscaping companies that specialize in irrigation. Get several bids and opinions. See what it would take to install a natural rain barrell irrigation system instead of depending on a local paid resource. The barrells can be decorated as to not be eye sores and be used as supplements to the existing system.

There are other options out there now adays. Look them up and see if there is just a better cheaper system that would benefit changing. You may not have to rip out the current system and just completely change to a new one saving money.