Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act Sets New “Lead-Free” Standard

The three-year transition period after the passage of the federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act in 2011 has now ended, meaning that a new, much stricter standard is now in place for pipes, fittings, solder, and flux in water-contact surfaces.

The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act amends the Safe Drinking Water Act by reducing the amount of lead allowed in plumbing that is used for drinking water.  The old requirement was not more than 8 percent lead content; the new requirement is not more than a weighted average of .25 percent lead.  Currently installed equipment that does not meet the standards does not have to be replaced, but new and replacement parts must comply with the new standard.

Lead is known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.  Under Proposition 65, companies offering products for sale in California that contain lead must first provide a health hazard warning.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.