The Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 was enacted in December 2002, in response to recommendations made by Justice O'Connor in his Report of the Walkerton Inquiry. In essence, the Act consolidates legislative and regulatory requirements regarding the treatment and distribution of drinking water in Ontario.

External Links (will open new window):

• Licensed Laboratories
• Ontario Regulation 248/03 - Drinking Water Testing Services
• Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 and Regulations FAQs

All states are compliant with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act which requires lead content of 8% or less for plumbing fixtures, valves, fittings and pipe. 

Some states have already passed laws that significantly lower this requirement, several other States are considering passing laws to significantly reduce lead content.

External Links (will open new window):

• 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. EPA -Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) - Frequently Asked Questions
• U.S. EPA -Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) - Laws & Statutes

All states are compliant with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act which requires lead content of 8% or less for plumbing fixtures, valves, fittings and pipe. Some states have already passed laws that significantly lower this requirement, several other States are considering passing laws to significantly reduce lead content.

External Links (will open new window):

• 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. EPA -Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) - FAQ
• U.S. EPA -Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) - Laws & Statutes

The "Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act" - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to exempt from prohibitions on the use or sale of lead pipes, solder, and flux:
(1) pipes or plumbing fittings or fixtures, including backflow preventers, that are used exclusively for non-potable 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; or
(2) toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are two inches in diameter or larger. 

Redefines "lead free" under such Act to mean:
(1) not containing more than 0.2% lead when used with respect to solder and flux (current law); and
(2) not more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes and pipe and plumbing fittings and fixtures. Establishes a formula to calculate the weighted average lead content of a pipe or pipe of plumbing fitting or fixture.

External Links (will open new window):

• Annex G, NSF Standard 61 - Drinking Water System Components
• April 22, 2010 California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC)
• Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (EPA)
• No. H.R. 5289
• No. H.R. 5320
• No. S.B. 3874 "Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act," January 4, 2011
• No. S.B. 3874 - US Government Printing Office
• Statement by the Press Secretary

California Assembly Bill No. AB 1953 Introduced by Assembly Member Chan - February 2, 2006 is an act to amend, repeal, and add Health & Safety Code 116875. It revises the term "Lead-Free" to refer not to the lead content of pipes, etc. but to weighted average lead content of the wetted surface area of the pipes, etc. This bill reduced the amount of lead that can be present in pipes, etc. to 0.25% beginning in 2010, in the installation or repair of any public water system or any plumbing in a facility providing water for human consumption.

External Links (will open new window):

• BILL NUMBER: AB 1953

Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, was enacted as a ballot initiative in November 1986. The Proposition was intended by its authors to protect California citizens and the State's drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals. Proposition 65 requires the Governor to publish, at least annually, a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

External Links (will open new window):

• OEHHA - FAQ and current list of chemicals

Bill SB.1134 requires that all pipes, etc. be certified as lead-free (as defined under current law) by an independent 3rd party accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), including, but not limited to NSF International. Both SB 1334 & 1395 establish procedures for verifying that plumbing fixtures comply with AB 1953, and enforcement to ensure compliance after Jan. 1, 2010. Existing law defines "lead-free" as of Jan. 1, 2010, to refer to a weighted average lead content of the wetted surface area of not more than 0.25% and to be determined pursuant to a prescribed formula.

External Links (will open new window):

BILL NUMBER: SB 1334

Senate Bill SB.1395 Introduced by Senator Corbett February 21, 2008 - The bill requires the DTSC to randomly select drinking water faucets, plumbing fittings, and fixtures to test and evaluate to determine compliance with existing law. Both SB 1334 & 1395 establish procedures for verifying that plumbing fixtures comply with AB 1953, and enforcement to ensure compliance after Jan 1, 2010.

External Links (will open new window):

• BILL NUMBER: SB 1395
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control

California's Health and Safety Code - The link below has the details on SB1334, SB1395 and AB1953 which became the foundation of what is now the updated California Health and Safety Code (Section 116875-116880) in regards to lead content in water for drinking and cooking.

External Links (will open new window):

• HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 116875-116880
• California Health and Safety Code (HSC), Section 116875, Part b1
• "Lead in Plumbing," California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC)

External Links (will open new window):

• Boshart Information Sheet on Louisiana HB471

In Maryland, House Bill 372 was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley in May 2010 and takes effect on January 1, 2012 well ahead of the January 2014 implementation date of the federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act. 

The Maryland lead-free materials law limits the lead content of plumbing products that come in contact with potable water to not more than a weighted average of 0.25% for plumbing fixtures and 0.20% for solder or flux used in plumbing (These levels are consistent with the current laws in California and Vermont), and prohibits the installation of a plumbing fixture or device that does not comply with the lead content limits. The law authorizes the Maryland State Board of Plumbing to modify the state's plumbing code in order to implement and enforce the new requirements.

External Links (will open new window):

• Boshart Information Sheet on Maryland HB372
• Maryland Chapter Number 407

Vermonts Bill S.152 As Introduced by Senator Lyons of Chittenden District (2007-2008) Is an act relating to prevention of lead poisoning by exposure to lead in consumer products. Plumbing fixtures. Beginning January 1, 2008, and ending January 1, 2010, any person who sells or offers for sale in or into the state of Vermont plumbing fixtures containing lead shall clearly and conspicuously post a warning at the point of sale, stating that these products contain lead, as prescribed by the attorney general, and shall also provide to each buyer prior to sale information on the risks of lead exposure, as prescribed by the attorney general. Beginning January 1, 2010, no person shall sell or offer for sale in or into the state of Vermont plumbing fixtures containing lead.

External Links (will open new window):

• Vermont Bill S.152