Local plumbers worried lead-free law could raise costs
BARSTOW • Two of California laws that went into effect with the New Year could reduce the lead content in the state’s drinking water. But a handful of local plumbers and wholesalers say they’re seeing an increase in the price of pipes, faucets and other fixtures that convey drinking water as a result of those laws.
A few weeks ago, a customer purchasing a brass ball valve at Ziemer Plumbing to repair a water heater would have been charged about $12, said owner Andy Ziemer. Now that plumbers must sell pipes and fixtures with a reduced lead content, the same ball valve will cost the customer about $18 or $19, he said.
“Right now we’re seeing a large increase in the cost of all the lead-free valves,” he said, adding that he himself would pay $12 for a ball valve, but is now paying about $20. “And of course this means when we have to pay more, the customer has to pay more.”
As of Friday, pipes, fixtures and valves that convey or dispense water for drinking or cooking can only have a lead content of 0.25 percent, according to the California Department of Toxic Substance Control. Prior to Jan. 1, pipes carrying drinking water were allowed to have a lead content of 8 percent. The law also prohibits the sale of pipes, fixtures and valves with a lead content greater than 0.25 percent. The laws, Senate Bill 1334 and Assembly Bill 1953, were enacted in 2008 and 2006 respectively.
High levels of lead in drinking water can lead to delays in physical and mental development for infants and children, including stunted growth, kidney damage, reduced intelligence and learning disabilities, according to the department.
Even though the laws has been in effect less than a week, Chris Reynolds Sr., who owns Reynolds Plumbing with his son Chris Reynolds Jr., said so far he hasn’t passed the increase price on valves, pipes and faucets on to his customers yet, but he’s going to have to. Ball valves with the higher lead content, prior to the law change, he said cost him about $10. Now, he’s paying more than $20 for them. Also, he said, he didn’t receive notification from the state about the new law. Reynolds heard about it from the wholesaler who sells him the pipes and fixtures.
“I went in for materials and they weren’t there,” he said. “You figure, that as a contractor, I would have gotten something from the state.”
David Rowe, Victorville branch manager for Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., which is where Reynolds gets his parts, said there has been a price increase on most materials that convey drinking water except faucets. He said the laws affect anyone selling brass fitting, faucets and valves.
“If you read the law, it’s pretty specific,” he said. “There’s no gray area. That has been kind of a concern.”
Ziemer and Chris Reynolds Jr. said they haven’t heard of any concerns regarding the lead in their pipes before the two laws took effect.
For more information on the lead-free pipe law visit www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention/LeadInPlumbing.cfm.
Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or jcejnar@desertdispatch.com
