Water Main In Footing, Not Through Footing! Code says what?

[prestige plumb.661]

Water main ran in the center of concrete footing, not through footing. Whats the code on this, besides not to code. Can you imbed a water line in footing? Line is 1-1/4" copper sleved in 3" A.B.S..

[homebild]

Code does not prevent a water line or sewer line from running through or within a footing as long as it is sleeved in compliance with code and a proper relieving arch has been constructed, but it is a very bad practice to run any pipe through or within a footing because it weakens the footing in that location.

Pipes should be run under or along footings whenever possible and not through or within them.

If the soil upon which the footing and foundation are built are stable, running pipes through footings should not pose any problems.

If the soils are unstable, however, it could cause serious problems with the foundation and footing.

This is a case where an engineer's opinion should be sought.

As a plumbing inspector, I would not allow the installation you describe without a structural engineer's stamped design stating it was acceptable.