42 U.S.C. § 300g–6 — Prohibition on use of lead pipes, solder, and flux

(a) In general (1)(A) Since June 19, 1986, no one may use any pipe, plumbing fitting or fixture, solder, or flux, unless it's "lead free" (as defined in (d)), when installing or repairing a public water system, or plumbing in a home or other building that supplies water for people to drink. (1)(B) This rule doesn't apply to leaded joints needed to repair cast iron pipes. (2)(A) Every water system owner or operator must identify people who might be affected by lead in their drinking water and give them notice, whether that lead comes from the system's own construction materials or from corrosive water dissolving lead. The Administrator decides how and in what form the notice must be given. This notice is required even if there's no violation of any national drinking water standard. (2)(B) The notice must clearly and simply explain (i) where lead in the drinking water could come from, (ii) the possible health effects, (iii) reasonably available ways to reduce lead levels, (iv) any steps the system is already taking about it, and (v) whether people might need to look for an alternative water supply. (3) Starting 2 years after August 6, 1996, it becomes illegal (A) for anyone to sell or ship pipes or plumbing fixtures that aren't lead free — except pipes used for manufacturing or industrial processing; (B) for anyone selling plumbing supplies, other than manufacturers, to sell solder or flux that isn't lead free; or (C) for anyone to sell solder or flux that isn't lead free unless it carries a clear label saying it's illegal to use in plumbing for drinking water. (4) These bans in (1) and (3) don't apply to (A) pipes and fixtures — including backflow preventers — used only for non-drinking purposes, like manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, or outdoor watering; or (B) toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, fire hydrants, service saddles, or water-main gate valves that are 2 inches or larger. (b) State enforcement (1) States must enforce the (a)(1) pipe/solder/flux ban starting 24 months after June 19, 1986, using state or local plumbing codes or whatever other enforcement method the state finds appropriate. (2) States must also enforce the (a)(2) public-notice requirements starting 24 months after June 19, 1986. (c) Penalties If the Administrator finds that a state isn't enforcing subsection (a) as required by (b), the Administrator can withhold up to 5 percent of that state's federal funding for state program grants under section 300j–2(a). (d) Definition of lead free (1) "Lead free" means (A) for solder and flux, no more than 0.2 percent lead; and (B) for the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures, no more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead. (2) To calculate the weighted average: for each part of the product that touches water (each "wetted component"), multiply that part's lead percentage by the ratio of its wetted surface area to the whole product's wetted surface area. That gives the weighted lead percentage for that part. Add up the weighted percentages for every wetted component. That total is the product's weighted average lead content, which is compared against the 0.25 percent limit in (1)(B). If a material's lead content is given as a range, use the highest number in that range. (e) Plumbing fittings and fixtures (1) The Administrator must give accurate, timely technical information and help to qualified third-party certifiers working on voluntary standards and testing methods for lead leaching from new plumbing fittings and fixtures meant to dispense water for people to drink. (2)(A) If no voluntary lead-leaching standard exists within 1 year of August 6, 1996, the Administrator must, within 2 years of that date, issue a health-based performance standard setting maximum leaching levels for new fittings and fixtures meant to dispense drinking water. That standard takes effect 5 years after the Administrator issues it. (2)(B) If regulations required under (A) haven't been issued within 5 years of August 6, 1996, then no one may import, manufacture, process, or sell a new plumbing fitting or fixture meant to dispense drinking water that contains more than 4 percent lead by dry weight. (f) Public education (1) The Administrator must make information available to the public about lead in drinking water, covering (A) the risks of lead in drinking water, (B) what causes lead to get into a home's water, (C) steps states, water systems, and consumers can take to cut the risk, and (D) other resources people can use to reduce their lead exposure, including how to test for lead in their water. (2) When sharing this information, the Administrator must — depending on available funding — run outreach specifically aimed at groups that face a greater risk than the general population from lead exposure in drinking water.