Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
WATER SYSTEMS
Chapter 246-290 - Group A public water supplies
Part 3 - DESIGN OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
Section 246-290-220 - Drinking water materials and additives

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 246-290-220

Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024

(1) All materials shall conform to the ANSI/NSF Standard 61 if in substantial contact with potable water supplies. For the purposes of this section, "substantial contact" means the elevated degree that a material in contact with water may release leachable contaminants into the water such that levels of these contaminants may be unacceptable with respect to either public health or aesthetic concerns. It should take into consideration the total material/water interface area of exposure, volume of water exposed, length of time water is in contact with the material, and level of public health risk. Examples of water system components that would be considered to be in "substantial contact" with drinking water are filter media, storage tank interiors or liners, distribution piping, membranes, exchange or adsorption media, or other similar components that would have high potential for contacting the water. Materials associated with components such as valves, pipe fittings, debris screens, gaskets, or similar appurtenances would not be considered to be in substantial contact.

(2) Materials or additives in use prior to the effective date of these regulations that have not been listed under ANSI/NSF Standard 60 or 61 may be used for their current applications until the materials are scheduled for replacement, or that stocks of existing additives are depleted and scheduled for reorder.

(3) Any treatment chemicals, with the exception of commercially retailed hypochlorite compounds such as unscented Clorox, Purex, etc., added to water intended for potable use must comply with ANSI/NSF Standard 60. The maximum application dosage recommendation for the product certified by the ANSI/NSF Standard 60 shall not be exceeded in practice.

(4) Any products used to coat, line, seal, patch water contact surfaces or that have substantial water contact within the collection, treatment, or distribution systems must comply with the appropriate ANSI/NSF Standard 60 or 61. Application of these products must comply with recommendations contained in the product certification.

(5) The department may accept continued use of, and proposals involving, certain noncertified chemicals or materials on a case-by-case basis, if all of the following criteria are met:

(a) The chemical or material has an acknowledged and demonstrable history of use in the state for drinking water applications;

(b) There exists no substantial evidence that the use of the chemical or material has caused consumers to register complaints about aesthetic issues, or health related concerns, that could be associated with leachable residues from the material; and

(c) The chemical or material has undergone testing through a protocol acceptable to the department and has been found to not contribute leachable compounds into drinking water at levels that would be of public health concern.

(6) Any pipe, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, fixtures, solder, or flux used in the installation or repair of a public water system shall be lead-free:

(a) This prohibition shall not apply to leaded joints necessary for the repair of cast iron pipes; and

(b) Within the context of this section, lead-free shall mean:
(i) No more than a weighted average of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent lead, calculated in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 300g - 6(d)(2); and

(ii) No more than two-tenths of one percent lead in solder and flux.

(7) Exceptions to the lead-free requirements of subsection (6) of this section include:

(a) Pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, or fixtures, including backflow preventers, that are used exclusively for nonpotable services such as manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, outdoor watering, or any other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption; or

(b) Toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, fire hydrants, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are two inches in diameter or larger.

Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050(2) and (3) and 70.119A.080. 03-08-037, § 246-290-220, filed 3/27/03, effective 4/27/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.02.050 [43.20.050]. 99-07-021, § 246-290-220, filed 3/9/99, effective 4/9/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as § 246-290-220, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.04.045. 88-05-057 (Order 307), § 248-54-131, filed 2/17/88.

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