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EPA/OW RIN: 2040-AF55 Publication ID: Spring 2017 
Title: Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water 
Abstract:

The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act was enacted on January 4, 2011, to amend section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA or Act) respecting the use and introduction into commerce of lead pipes, plumbing fittings or fixtures, solder and flux. The 2011 "Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act" revised section 1417 to: (1) Redefine "lead free" in SDWA Section 1417(d) to lower the maximum lead content of plumbing products such as pipes and fixtures from 8.0% to 0.25%; establish a statutory method for the calculation of lead content; and eliminate the requirement that lead free products be in compliance with voluntary standards established in accordance with SDWA 1417(e) for leaching of lead from new plumbing fittings and fixtures. (2) Create exemptions in SDWA section 1417(a)(4) from the prohibitions on the use or introduction into commerce for:  "pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings or fixtures, including backflow preventers, that are used exclusively for nonpotable services such as manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, outdoor watering, or any other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption;" (SDWA 1417(a)(4)(A)) "toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are 2 inches in diameter or larger." (SDWA 1417(a)(4)(B)) The Community Fire Safety Act of 2013 further amended section 1417 of SDWA to exempt fire hydrants from the prohibitions on use and introduction into commerce of pipes, fittings, and fixtures that are not lead free. The EPA proposed regulations to assist in the implementation of these amendments to section 1417 of SDWA on January 17, 2017.

 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 141    40 CFR 142   
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq. Safe Drinking Water Act   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  01/17/2017  82 FR 4805   
NPRM Comment Period Extended  04/11/2017  82 FR 17406   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/17/2017 
NPRM Comment Period Extended End  05/17/2017 
Final Rule  01/00/2019 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Brian D'Amico
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Mail Code 4303T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-1069
Fax:202 566-1053
Email: damico.brian@epa.gov

Russ Perkinson
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Mail Code 4607M, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 564-4901
Fax:202 564-3760
Email: perkinson.russ@epa.gov