New Lead Free Mandate | Plumbing Arlington

This year brought the enactment of a law that significantly affects your fresh drinking water with the passage of the “Lead Free Mandate” which will affect your plumbing in Arlington. Signed in 2011, the Federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water went in effect in January of this year. The mandate amends the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986 which limits the use of lead pipes, plumbing fittings or fixtures, solder and flux that does not fit the new definition of lead free. The previous definition of lead free was not more than 8.0% lead, while the new and now current definition is not more than 0.25% lead of the wet surface for pipes, plumbing fittings and fixtures. A product now must meet this definition to be called “lead free”. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Fort Worth will meet this new definition and ensure the increased safety of your plumbing in Arlington.

The term wet surface, or “wetted parts” refers to the meter, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, flexible connectors, strainers, gauges, fittings, valves and other parts that are in contact with drinking water. In essence, anything that is used with potable drinking water is affected. This doesn’t mean all plumbing must be replaced, but when repairs are provided the new part or product must meet the new definition of lead free containing less than 0.25% lead.

Lead is potentially harmful and has been linked to physical and mental developmental delays in children, along with deficits in attention span and learning ability. Adults can also be adversely affected by lead and may develop high blood pressure and kidney problems with prolonged exposure. The EPA identifies brass or chrome plated brass faucets and fixtures as the major source of lead in drinking water. The new law is a major step forward in reducing lead content in drinking water, and will provide for safer plumbing in Arlington and the Fort Worth region.

While the EPA is responsible for implementing the law, their roll will be more so as an informer to other agencies, while enforcement will be passed on to the state level, who will then pass it on to cities, towns and municipalities where it will be used as code for enforcement. Contractors who fail to adhere to the new law will face stiff fines and/or litigation for their failure to comply. The new law is a major step forward in improving the health of Americans young and old and tackles the health issue of lead contaminated water at the most common source, the plumbing in homes and businesses.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Fort Worth provides plumbing services that are compliant with the new mandate to ensure the safety of your home or businesses drinking water with the use of lead free plumbing in Arlington. Our licensed professional plumbers provide the superior plumbing services you have come to expect from a leader in plumbing in Arlington. We provide prompt, reasonably priced professional services that is always 100% satisfaction guaranteed.