Get the Lead Out Plumbing Consortium Reports Significant Impact On Preparing Plumbing Industry for New Law

Dec. 16, 2013
The Consortium has been instrumental in raising awareness The group’s primary vehicle for disseminating related information has been its website Consortium leaders also have been crossing the country to conduct industry events
FALLS CHURCH, VA. – With just weeks left on the countdown clock to the January 4, 2014, effective date of the new federal “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act,” the plumbing industry is proving that it continues to rely heavily on information from the Get the Lead Out Plumbing Consortium.

The Consortium – a cross-section of the plumbing industry comprised of leading trade associations and manufacturers – has been instrumental in raising awareness of the new requirements and offering education and training about the manufacture, distribution, and installation of Lead Free* plumbing products. The new law makes it illegal to sell or install pipes, fittings and fixtures in applications that convey water for human consumption that have a weighted average lead content exceeding 0.25%.

The group’s primary vehicle for disseminating related information has been its website – www.GetTheLeadOutPlumbing.com.  Website tracking shows that more than 91,000 valuable resources have been viewed or downloaded from the site. More specifically, over 7,600 visitors to the site have viewed the lead free training video, and more than 85,000 have downloaded the lead free PDF presentation, just two of the many training and marketing materials available on the site. Soldering resources, EPA materials, and action plans for various industry segments are among the other resources available online.

Consortium leaders also have been crossing the country to conduct industry events – 57 to date – to train plumbing distributors, engineers, contractors and inspectors, all of whom will be significantly impacted by the law. It officially has trained more than 4,000 professionals.

“These results show that the plumbing industry truly is aware of the new law and better prepared for the changes it imposes,” says Cindy Sheridan, chief operating officer of the PHCC Educational Foundation and a member of the Consortium. “It’s reassuring to see that – with proper vision, leadership and resources – the industry can come together and make this level of impact.”

With that, Sheridan urges all plumbing professionals to stay tuned to www.GetTheLeadOutPlumbing.com for updated information. The Consortium will keep the website site active into 2014, she says.
Members of the consortium include:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
American Supply Association (ASA)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
International Code Council (ICC)
Legend Valve
Milwaukee Valve
NIBCO INC.
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association (PHCC)
PHCC Educational Foundation
Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI)
Reliance Worldwide
Viega, LLC
Watts Water Technologies
* Lead Free refers to the wetted surface of pipe, fittings and fixtures in potable water systems that have a weighted average <=0.25% per the Safe Drinking Water Act (Sec. 1417) amended 1-4-2011 and other equivalent state regulations.

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