United States Bill S. 3874, Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act
On January 4th, 2011, President Obama signed Bill S. 3874, the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act legislation into federal law. This action amends the Safe Drinking Water Act and reduces the maximum allowable percentage of lead from 8.00% to 0.25% (weighted average) as it pertains to “pipe, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures” in plumbing faucets and fixtures.
This is a national requirement for all potable water applications. The effective date is 36 months after the date that the bill was signed – January 4, 2014.
Impact – It will be illegal to install products in drinking water applications with a lead content above 0.25% after January 4, 2014. Distributors will need to manage inventories to avoid holding non-compliant drinking water products after January 4, 2014.
