Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, lead content in pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps may not exceed what percent?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, lead content in pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps may not exceed what percent?

• A. 0.8%
• B. 4.0%
• C. 8.0%
• D. 1.0%

Answer: (C)

Lead-containing materials that convey drinking water were regulated to limit how much lead they could contain. Historically, the Safe Drinking Water Act allowed up to eight percent lead by weight in pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps. This meant that components used in water systems could have no more than eight percent lead, which is why eight percent is the correct choice. Over time the standard for what qualifies as “lead-free” has become stricter (0.25% lead by weight), but for this item the eight percent limit is the correct reference. The other percentages are not the established SDWA limit for these components.

Lead-containing materials that convey drinking water were regulated to limit how much lead they could contain. Historically, the Safe Drinking Water Act allowed up to eight percent lead by weight in pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps. This meant that components used in water systems could have no more than eight percent lead, which is why eight percent is the correct choice. Over time the standard for what qualifies as “lead-free” has become stricter (0.25% lead by weight), but for this item the eight percent limit is the correct reference. The other percentages are not the established SDWA limit for these components.