Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comments for rulemaking purposes to implement the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act, which became effective Jan. 4, 2014. Feedback is being sought in the areas of labeling of lead-free products, labeling of non-potable use products, and the associated certification of compliance.
Signed by President Obama in 2011, the law reduces the federally mandated level of permissible lead from a maximum of 8.0 percent with respect to pipes and pipe fittings to a maximum weighted average of 0.25 percent with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures used to convey water for human consumption. The law also sets the benchmark for solder and flux at 0.2 percent.
The EPA held its initial “Notice of a Public Meeting, Regulations Implementing Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Prohibition on Use of Lead Pipes, Solder and Flux” on April 14. At the meeting, which IAPMO Vice President of Government Relations Dain Hansen attended in person, the EPA said it would analyze the comments received and expects to issue a proposed regulation in early 2016. The EPA is not expected to have a codified final regulation for at least two years. To view the EPA’s slideshow presentation from the event, visit http://goo.gl/ymSVmn.
“We’re excited that the EPA has begun the process to promulgate these important regulations. This is a critical step toward having a clear understanding of how this law will be enforced and enacted,” Hansen said.
Hansen said The IAPMO Group will submit comments to the EPA ahead of the April 30 deadline, and he encouraged organizations impacted by the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act to do so as well. Comments may be submitted via email to leadfreeact@epa.gov. Comments will be accepted through April 30.
IAPMO®, developer of the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC®) and Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC®), has posted online the 2025 Report on Proposals for the 2027 editions of these prospective American National Standard-designated model codes.
IAPMO® and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), now incorporating ASSE International and ARCSA International, to jointly advance and promote the mutual interests of education, regulations, design, specifications, installation, and inspection of plumbing systems, as well as training, testing and certifying qualified professionals to perform design work responsive to the need to conserve and protect water supplies, and reduce energy use connected to delivery and use of water.
IAPMO®, developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), has posted online the 2025 Report on Comments (ROC) for the 2027 editions of these American National Standard-designated model codes. The ROC includes the committee actions as discussed during the May 6-8 technical committee meetings, the electronic ballot results as balloted between May 19-June 16, and the Technical Correlating Committee actions on all comments received for the 2027 editions.