We all know about the switch to lead-free but where after delays and changes, where exactly does the plumbing industry stand right now? John Chaumont writes.

According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG); lead concentration in drinking water should not exceed 0.01mg/L, with average concentrations in Australian supplies ranging from 0.005-0.01 mg/L.

As a reference point, the total lead concentration in the Sydney CBD today is 0.0001 – 0.0004mg/L according to Sydney Water, well below the upper limits.

In November 2018, Australia’s chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, stated that our drinking water is safe, and there is no evidence of adverse effects on human health from the consumption of lead in drinking water in Australia.

It was conceded, however, that as lead is not considered beneficial or necessary for human health, public health experts recommend Australians take every opportunity to limit potential exposure from all sources.

At a municipal level, lead concentrations in drinking water supply can be reduced by conventional methods of water treatment, using coagulants or lime softening. Domestically, many home filters exist that remove lead.

The lead-free rule

So, what is all the fuss about?

Presently, plumbing products in Australia that come into contact with drinking water may contain up to 4.5% lead, however, new legislation is in place to drastically reduce this number.

In the National Construction Code (NCC) Vol.3 (2022); A new clause A5G4(2) has been added to limit lead content in copper alloy plumbing products in contact with potable water.

As defined by the ABCB: “All copper alloy plumbing products that are in contact with drinking water must meet the 0.25% lead requirement.”

Because it is impossible to manufacture products that contain 0% lead, this is the benchmark to be defined as “lead-free”. Therefore, a plumbing product may be considered lead-free when it achieves a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%.

Huh?

The ABCB seem to delight in confusing us mere mortals, once again implementing the nefarious use of a definition-within-a-definition.

According to the ABCB, “weighted average” means the average content of lead calculated across the wetted surface area of a pipe, fitting or plumbing fixture. A “wetted surface area” is defined further as the internal surface of the product that actually comes into contact with the drinking water – calculated as “the total sum of diameter in contact with drinking water”.

In real speak, the lead content is not measured by the overall amount of lead in the entire product (casing, handles, screws, fixings exterior), but rather by the internal surfaces that actually come into contact with drinking water.

Which products must be lead-free?

The ABCB advises that the WaterMark Schedule of Products: “Identifies which products must comply with the lead-free requirements of PCA 2022.”

Examples of products subject to lead-free requirements include; storage hot water heaters, boiling water units, drinking fountains, ice dispensers, all backflow prevention devices, pressure control valves, TMVs, tempering valves, water hammer arrestors, and meters.

When do lead-free requirements take effect?

The lead-free deadline, officially introduced on 1 September 2022; called for a three-year transition period for the plumbing industry to meet proposed lead-free requirements, coming into effect on 1 September 2025.

This deadline was extended to May 2026, with the ABCB recognising WaterMark registration delays and supply-chain constraints some manufacturers were facing for their lower volume products.

Can non-compliant products be sold and installed right now?

Technically, yes. Existing non-compliant products out in the marketplace can still be sold and installed until 1 May 2026. After this deadline, these non-compliant products may still be used, only for applications that are not used to convey drinking water.

Lead-free WaterMark

All compliant products must be marked with a lead-free WaterMark. From 1 May 2026, only WaterMarked products will be authorised for use in drinking water plumbing applications.

Does the lead requirement apply to all plumbing products?

No, some products that are not in constant contact with drinking water and/or have a low likelihood of being used for drinking water consumption are exempt from lead-free requirements.

Such products include (but are not limited to) showerheads, washing machines and dishwashers, emergency eyewash/deluge showers, firefighting and sprinkler products and irrigation products.

The NCC Vol.3 Clause A5G4(2) gives subsequent explanatory notes and exemptions, and includes a more thorough list of products subject to lead-free requirements and some that are exempt.

The USA led the way

Australia and New Zealand have been one of the early adopters when it comes to transitioning to lead-free potable water products, albeit not the first.

The USA adopted similar legislation all the way back in 2011, with the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (RLDWA), 2011. This Act required a similar weighted average of not more than 0.25% lead.

Europe appears to be dragging its feet when it comes to adopting legislation but has a roadmap in place to become lead-free by 12 January 2028 at the latest.

Impact to manufacturers

For many companies in the Australian marketplace, lead-free requirements have resulted in a fundamental revision of their product range and drastic shifts to their production processes.

Concerns in the industry regarding lead-free manufacture appeared to include cost, machinability, availability, and knowledge base for lead-free products and materials.

In 2018, many years prior to the announcement of lead-free requirements, the ABCB commissioned Macquarie University to undertake a literature review study, which included industry consultation and review for the proposed legislation. The study included a questionnaire, which asked questions of key manufacturers in the industry, which yielded some interesting answers.

The Macquarie University review asked several industry figures the following question: Does your organisation have alternative fittings that have no or low lead or have knowledge of their availability?

A spokesperson from the Plumbing Products Industry Group (PPIG) responded with: “Australian manufacturers and suppliers are generally aware that materials with no lead and with low lead are available and may be used in production however there are challenges in their use around cost and machinability and so on.”

An anonymous wholesaler said: “It has never been an issue, we have heard of the US ‘lead-free’ brass which could be a great alternative to the current brass if Australian standards changed to it, it would be a good solution.”

And Galvin Engineering added that the company offers several product lines in low lead or lead-free alternatives: “We select product lines where it is practical to produce in alternative materials without compromising compliance with current Australian Standards and WaterMark requirements, and where we believe there is a willingness from consumers to pay the increased cost of these alternative material products.”

Conclusion

The lead-free revolution appears to be a common-sense move toward protecting public health, and ensuring cleaner, higher quality drinking water for all.

While delays have brought the plumbing industry a little more time to breathe and prepare for lead-free, the deadline is fast approaching.

Each of us in the plumbing industry; plumbers, regulators, engineers, educators, manufacturers and suppliers should collaborate to ensure we are well educated up and down the industry food chain on the issue of lead – So that we can collectively inform the general public on the presence of lead in our water supply, legislative changes, potential health benefits and the implementation challenges that the industry has faced and continues to face.

A lead-free future, even with its challenges will ensure a safe and secure drinking water supply, and result in better health outcomes for all.