The United Nation’s World Water Day on 22 March highlights the importance of fresh water and access to it. While Australia is fortunate to have clean and safe drinking water, protecting it by reducing exposure to hazardous metals, such as lead, is an ongoing effort with many challenges.
A key lead reduction program established by the National Construction Code (NCC) Australia, is in its second of a three-year transition period to only use lead-free plumbing products. After this time, copper alloy plumbing products containing more than 0.25% lead can no longer be installed in a plumbing system used to convey drinking water.
The Lead Free WaterMark is used to signify products with less than 0.25% lead, defined in the NCC as ‘lead-free’. After the deadline, only products marked with this brand will be authorised for use. Although products and their packaging may bear other international markings and claims, only the Lead Free WaterMark ensures they can be installed in Australia.
NATA encourages manufacturers and suppliers of plumbing products impacted by this initiative to contact their WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body to arrange certification to the requirements. Industry practitioners and those who are specifying, procuring and/or installing plumbing products are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new regulation.
With hundreds of WaterMark licenses already impacted, NATA has already seen some of its laboratories become accredited to prepare for the new testing that will be required following the 2026 deadline. If you are a laboratory/facility that is yet to get accredited for this, we actively encourage you to contact us to learn how you can extend your scope to include it.
Contact NATA at corpcomm@nata.com.au or call 1 800 621 666