WSGH11
SUBJECT:   Effective Date of the Lead Ban

SOURCE:    Betsy Devlin
When was the lead ban effective?  Was it effective on the date enactment of the Safe Drinking
Water Act Amendments (June 19, 1988), or on the date States must begin enforcing the ban
(June 19, 1988)?

       Response:

       Section 1417(a)(l) of the SDWA Amendments states that the prohibition of "...any lead
       pipe, solder, or flux which is used after the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act
       Amendments of 1986 shall be lead free..." (June 19,  1986 enactment).  In addition, in a
       letter written by EPA Administrator Lee Thomas to Robert Kerrey, Governor of
       Nebraska (September 16, 1986), Mr. Thomas states that "Effective immediately, the use
       of certain lead solder, flux, and pipes in the installation and repairs of public water
       systems, and in residential or non-residential plumbing connected to a public water
       supply system, is prohibited."

       Therefore, the lead ban was officially effective June 19, 1986.

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