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® is pleased to announce the publication of IAPMO/ANSI/CAN Z1403-2026, Water Demand Calculator®, a new American National Standard and National Standard of Canada that provides a modern, statistically based method for estimating peak water demand in single-family and multifamily residential buildings.
IAPMO’s Systems Certification Body (SCB) has issued the first certificates under the Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) Certification Program, providing independent third-party verification of conformity with established performance requirements for anodized aluminum finishes and products.
IAPMO® is pleased to announce that Shirley Dewi has been promoted to executive vice president of IAPMO R&T, where she will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the organization’s certification and compliance operations, including Product Certification, the Systems Certification Body (SCB) and Continuous Compliance.