Code Section

116875.  

(a) No person shall use any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, solder, or flux that is not lead free in the installation or repair of any public water system or any plumbing in a facility providing water for human consumption, except when necessary for the repair of leaded joints of cast iron pipes.

(b) (1) No person shall introduce into commerce any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting, or fixture intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking that is not lead free, as defined in subdivision (e). This includes kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, and any other end-use devices intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking, but excludes service saddles, backflow preventers for nonpotable services such as irrigation and industrial, and water distribution main gate valves that are two inches in diameter and above.

(2) Pipes, pipe or plumbing fittings, or fixtures that are used in manufacturing, industrial processing, for irrigation purposes, and any other uses where the water is not intended for human consumption through drinking or cooking are not subject to the requirements of paragraph (1).

(3) For all purposes other than manufacturing, industrial processing, or to convey or dispense water for human consumption, “lead free” is defined in subdivision (f).

(c) No person engaged in the business of selling plumbing supplies, except manufacturers, shall sell solder or flux that is not lead free.

(d) No person shall introduce into commerce any solder or flux that is not lead free unless the solder or flux bears a prominent label stating that it is illegal to use the solder or flux in the installation or repair of any plumbing providing water for human consumption.

(e) For the purposes of this section, “lead free” means not more than 0.2 percent lead when used with respect to solder and flux and not more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes and pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. The weighted average lead content of a pipe and pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture shall be calculated by using the following formula: The percentage of lead content within each component that comes into contact with water shall be multiplied by the percent of the total wetted surface of the entire pipe and pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, or fixture represented in each component containing lead. These percentages shall be added and the sum shall constitute the weighted average lead content of the pipe and pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, or fixture.

(f) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), “lead free,” consistent with the requirements of federal law, means not more than 0.2 percent lead when used with respect to solder and flux and not more than 8 percent when used with respect to pipes and pipe fittings. With respect to plumbing fittings and fixtures, “lead free” means not more than 4 percent by dry weight after August 6, 2002, unless the department has adopted a standard, based on health effects, for the leaching of lead.

(g) (1) All pipe, pipe or plumbing fittings or fixtures, solder, or flux shall be certified by an independent American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited third party, including, but not limited to, NSF International, as being in compliance with this section.

(2) (A) The certification described in paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, include testing of materials in accordance with the protocols used by the Department of Toxic Substances Control in implementing Article 10.1.2 (commencing with Section 25214.4.3) of Chapter 6.5 of Division 20.

(B) The certification required pursuant to this subdivision shall not interfere with either the department’s exercise of its independent authority to protect public health pursuant to this section, or the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s exercise of its independent authority to implement Article 10.1.2 (commencing with Section 25214.4.3) of Chapter 6.5 of Division 20.

(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that this subdivision only provide guidance and assistance to the entities that use an independent ANSI accredited third party to demonstrate compliance with this section. Any tests developed by an independent ANSI accredited third party in accordance with this subdivision shall have no weight of authority under California statute.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the department shall retain its independent authority in administering this article.

(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2010. The requirement described in subdivision (g) shall not be construed in any manner as to justify a delay in compliance with the lead-free standard set forth in subdivision (e).