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In the past, lead was widely used in the manufacture of water supply pipe and fixtures, for joints in other pipe materials, and as solder for joining copper pipe. Since that time, however, it has been discovered that lead can cause nervous system and kidney damage, and it can be highly toxic to infants and the developing fetus of pregnant women. Because lead in plumbing materials may be leached into the drinking water, EPA has created regulations to limit the avenues of exposure to lead in public water systems.

Does The Lead Material Ban Apply to Your Community?

Yes. All public water systems must be sure that any newly-installed piping does not contain excessive levels of lead, and you must take steps to monitor and reduce lead levels in the existing water supply.

Actions Your Community Should Have Completed

Your community should take all necessary steps to comply with EPA's lead material ban. While there is no maximum contaminant level (MCL) associated with the lead material ban, the levels of lead in newly installed pipes are strictly regulated. New plumbing that is installed in any public water system, or in residential dwellings and commercial buildings to connect them to the public water system, may not have solder and flux that contains more than 0.2 percent lead. Newly installed pipes may not contain more than 8.0 percent lead. The lead material ban applies only to new plumbing that distributes drinking water, and it does not require the removal of existing lead pipes or solder. Check with your state for additional information.

You should have already completed an inventory of the materials in your distribution system and in those residences and commercial buildings where samples will be collected. In addition, a set of tests (under the instructions of your state agency) should have been done to identify the corrosion-related factors in your water supply. By June 19, 1988, you were required to have published a notice informing the public about the lead ban and providing information on corrosiveness.

In addition, you should have already considered adopting an ordinance or rule prohibiting the use of lead materials in any new plumbing that is connected to your water system. In some cases, state-wide plumbing codes have been enacted that meet this requirement. If your community has adopted one of the national plumbing codes, or is part of a jurisdiction that has adopted a national code, these codes have all been amended to include the lead material ban.

It is important that you inform customers involved in new construction or the replacement of plumbing that the lead materials ban is in effect for your water system. Requiring a simple permit and inspection of new plumbing is one way some communities carry out this information requirement. In addition, you should make information available to your customers on the actions they can take to reduce lead levels in the water they consume in their own homes.

If your water supply is very corrosive, contact your state agency and/or your community' s engineer to plan for ways to reduce the corrosive impact of your water. If you have lead pipe or fixtures in your distribution system, consider replacement with non-lead materials. Note, however, that leaded joints in old cast iron or other piping is not considered to leach significant amounts of lead into the water. Replacement is not required by the lead material ban, but may be required for systems that continue to exceed the lead or copper action levels under the Lead and Copper Rule (see page 22).

Additional Information

The Lead Material Ban requirements are published in the Safe Drinking Water Act, Sections 1417(a)(1) & (2), Title 42 United States Code Section 1417 (a)(l) and (2). "Lead and Your Drinking Water," and "Lead Ban," EPA, are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

For further information on the federal requirements, contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline. Telephone: 1/800/426-4791.

(See Resource Section for drinking water contacts)