Essentially, bamboo and cane is the same thing. They are both grasses in the Poaceae family of grass. There are hundreds of species of bamboos; however, most bamboo timber is sourced from the Phyllostachys and Bambusa genera. Most bamboo species are native to South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.
Those living in older homes should have their water tested to see if lead is a problem. Plastic pipe such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride, used for cold water only), and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, used for both hot and cold water) have been around for years, and both are approved for use with drinking water.
Schedules 40 being the most common for water distribution. PVC is normally used for cold water pipes only. Many municipalities outlaw the use of PVC for hot water pipes, as the heat can eventually break down the plastic. Always check with local code restrictions before using PVC pipes for hot water delivery lines.