EPA Looking to Increase Lead-Free Requirement for Plumbing Materials
The 90 day public comment period for the proposal ends on April 17, 2017
Posted 00:00 January 15, 2017
Last Updated 09:13 February 05, 2019
Plumbers and consumers have until April 17th to voice their opinions about new EPA rules regarding lead in plumbing materials and supplies. Under the proposed rules, manufacturers would be required to mark pipes, fittings, and fixtures used for drinking water as lead free.
Under current regulations, plumbing pipes, fittings, joints, and even solder has had to meet lead-free requirements since the 1980s. The current push is for lead-free labeling. The goal is to make sure lead-free and lead-containing parts don't get intermixed on the job site. Non-potable water does not need to have lead-free plumbing materials.
The Safe Drinking Water Act defines lead-free as a weighted average of 0.25% lead (or less) calculated across the wet surface of a pipe, fixture, or fitting. The standard for solder and flux is 0.2%.
Public comments about the proposal must be made by April 17, 2017.
