Chemical reaction deterioration is more likely than actual abrasion. Yes, water hammer and repeated on/off can cause pipes to move some, but if it was properly backfilled/buried, that effect is mitigated for the most part.

I spent some time in the O/G world working with the guys that were responsible for Cathodic Protection of pipelines (building comms and monitoring solutions for them) and it is incredible what varying soil conditions can do to cast iron, steel, and even epoxy coated steel pipe.

Most municipal water systems run between 80-100psi on the city side, usually favoring 80-90psi. Most large water towers (pressure, not storage) are 180-200' tall (every 100' gains approx 50psi). I had a lot of fun installing radios on top of water towers.