Industry Encouraged To Speak Up On Major EPA Lead-Law Changes

Implementation of new regulations could have major impact

WQA is encouraging industry members to make their voices heard by the end of the month on major changes to the lead content regulation being put forward by the USEPA. The EPA is looking for suggestions on how to implement numerous aspects of the law, which takes effect in 2014.

“The effects of this law on our industry could be profound,” said Dave Haataja, WQA executive director. “We should take advantage of this opportunity to help shape how it works.  How this law is put into place could significantly affect the bottom line for a long time.”

The law takes effect January 1, 2014.  It is a major amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The law essentially requires lead content of “not more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes and pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures.”

Regulators are looking into how companies will prove their products are compliant. Suggestions are to require third-party certification or require manufacturers to publically display proof of compliance. However, the EPA is open to other suggestions as well.

Questions also exist as to how compliant products will be identified in the field by inspectors. The EPA recognizes the issue of consistently marking products to show they meet the new low lead regulation. The EPA would like to establish uniform marking requirements so the low lead compliant products can be easily identified in the field.

The regulation does contain exemptions  for products that are not meant to carry drinkable water, but the EPA is concerned with dual product lines or interchangeable products for potable and nonpotable applications which may cause confusion in the marketplace and in the field. The focus will be on how these products will be marked to show they are not to be used for potable water to prevent misuse.

Other questions to be resolved by the EPA include how replacement parts will be covered by the act, how exactly to measure lead content, state enforcement burdens, and time frames for regulation enforcement.

WQA staff is participating in EPA development of regulations.  Members interested in learning more about the law should contact Pauli Undesser at pundesser@wqa.org

Industry comments and ideas are needed and must be submitted to the EPA by August 31. Anyone with supporting or negative comments on why any or all of these imposed ideas should not be implemented are encouraged to take a moment to comment.  Comments should be directed to smith.lameka@epamail.epa.gov.

WQA has created a low lead certification scheme for companies facing low lead laws that states have been enacting in anticipation of the new federal requirements.  It is guided by the NSF/ANSI 372 standard.

Anyone with questions or seeking to begin the certification process should contact the WQA Gold Seal staff at 630 505 0160.  Staff will explain the documentation needed to obtain certification.  Or visit wqa.org, and click on the “Gold Seal Product” button.  Products under the Gold Seal Program are tested to independent NSF/ANSI standards and earn Gold Seal certification if all requirements of the standard and Gold Seal policies are met.  The Gold Seal Program is the oldest third-party testing and certification program in the drinking water treatment industry. 

About The Water Quality Association
The Water Quality Association is a not-for-profit international trade organization representing the residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment industry. Its membership consists of both manufacturers as well as dealers/distributors of equipment. WQA is a resource and information source, a voice for the industry, an educator of professionals, a laboratory for product testing, and a communicator with the public.