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Press Release | In The News

Lead Contaminated Water: Next Resident Health Risk

Location of brass water submeters influences amount of lead in water

San Diego, CA (April 30, 2002) — In the past few years there has been significant attention and media coverage regarding the dangers of lead-based paint. It’s a well-documented fact that lead causes health problems, and residents nationwide have been suing apartment owners over this issue for years.

As apartment owners have learned how to protect themselves and their residents from the hazards of lead-based paint, a new form of lead poisoning is coming into the spotlight… lead contaminated water. And surprisingly, apartment owners may be unknowingly contributing to lead poisoning (and breaking Federal law) by utilizing conventional brass water submeters.

The 1996 amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires compliance with NSF-61, Section 9 - a performance-based testing standard that limits the amount of lead leaching from endpoint devices. An endpoint device is any mechanical plumbing device which is typically installed within the last liter of the distribution system. In a typical 1 / 2 " pipe, the last liter extends nominally 20 feet upstream from the faucet. Therefore, if a traditional “utility” brass water meter is used in a submeter application within 20 feet, it is in violation of Federal Law.

The NSF-61 standard is also referenced in all major U.S. plumbing codes. According to a 2000 ASDWA Survey on State adoption of ANSI/NSF Standards, 48 of the 50 states intend to adopt NSF61.

So what should apartment owners and managers do? According to Wade Smith, CEO of Wellspring International, “The easiest way to ensure compliance is to insist that only non-brass or no-lead brass submeters are installed. Almost every major manufacturer in the industry offers a no-lead alternative, and some offer no-lead exclusively.” Smith also advises that if you choose to purchase conventional brass meters, you should check to ensure that you are not installing them within 20 feet of any use point.

“Property owners and managers should ask a lot of questions when talking with submetering companies. It’s up to the owners to ensure compliance with applicable laws, especially those dealing with the health and safety of their residents. They need to understand these fine points when it comes to lead in water,” says Smith.

About Wellspring
Wellspring is the world’s most complete water and energy sub-utility offering metering systems—as well as reading, billing and collecting services—for all building types. Wellspring is based in San Diego, California and Bristol, Pennsylvania. For more information, call 858-824-0900 or visit www.wellspringacquisition.com.

For more information, contact:
Wade Smith, CEO, (858) 824-0900
wsmith@wellspringwireless.com