With this investment, Neptune is the first North American water meter manufacturer with facilities dedicated to lead-free operations, production, and testing.
While much of the water meter industry has used a bronze alloy containing 7% lead, defined as "81 brass" by the Copper Development Association – Neptune uses only lead-free bronze in its water meter, the company says.
"As the regulations around lead content in bronze plumbing devices change, our customers can be assured that the bronze body meters they buy from Neptune not only meet the current, but also planned requirements," Mr. DiLaura said.
On 4 January, 2011, US president Obama signed legislation revising the definition for "lead-free" within the SDWA as it pertains to "pipe, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures". Entitled the "Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act", it includes changes effective January 4, 2014.
These revisions will require that drinking water system products consist of no more than 0.25 percent weighted average lead content, based on a wetted surface area.
