When choosing pressure instrumentation for drinking water applications, WIKA USA takes the guesswork out of regulatory compliance. Our lead-free gauges are certified and meet all the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
An easily refined and malleable metal, lead had been the ideal material for pipes and fittings for over 2,000 years. In fact, the word “plumbing” comes from plumbus, Latin for lead, and its chemical symbol is Pb. However, this element is toxic even in very small quantities, and in the 1970s the EPA started getting rid of lead in pipes, paints, gasoline, and other common products.
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Several provisions since then has expanded the SDWA’s scope, and the 2011 Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act mandated that all wetted parts in the drinking water system may contain no more than 0.25% lead. Thus the need for lead-free gauges.
Assurances that a Pressure Gauge is Lead-Free
Any manufacturer can state that an instrument does not exceed the allowable lead content, but that alone do not prove SDWA compliance. Independent third-party certification is the only way to make sure a product contains ≤0.25% lead. That’s why WIKA USA collaborates with an accredited organization for standards in the water industry to verify that our lead-free gauges live up to their claim.
All pressure gauges in WIKA’s Drinking Water (DW) series are certified to comply with the following standards:
- NSF/ANSI 61– product meets leachate requirements for all contaminants, including metals and non-metals
- NSF/ANSI 61 Annex G (61-G)– product meets leachate requirements for all contaminants and a weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25%
- NSF/ANSI 372– product meets a weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25%
Lead-Free Gauges in WIKA’s Drinking Water Series
WIKA USA offers four certified lead-free pressure gauges. The pressure connections, Bourdon tubes, and movements are all made of a lead-free copper alloy; the solder is similarly lead-free. These gauges conform not only to SDWA, but also to stricter regulations in California, Louisiana, Maryland, and Vermont.
Liquid-filled 213.53DW Bourdon tube pressure gauge
This DW series:
- Model 111.10DW, lower mount, plastic case, ±3/2/3% of span
- Model 111.12DW, back mount, plastic case, ±3/2/3% of span
- Model 111.25DW, lower mount, stainless steel case, ±1% of span
- Model 213.53DW, lower or back mount, stainless steel case with liquid filling, ±2/1/2% of span
These lead-free gauges are produced in Lawrenceville, Georgia, under strict quality-control processes. The dial faces are marked with the universal “no Pb” symbol and the relevant certification text.
WIKA’s Lead-Free Gauges for Drinking Water Applications
WIKA USA is a leader in lead-free gauges. In fact, our DW series was the first in the nation to receive accreditation for meeting the lead-free requirements. For more information on which pressure gauge is right for your drinking water application, contact our experts in water treatment and pressure measurement.
Products mentioned in this article:
• Model 111.10DW Bourdon tube pressure gauge, black plastic drinking water (DW) series, lower mount
• Model 111.12DW Bourdon tube pressure gauge, black plastic drinking water (DW) series, center back mount
• Model 111.25DW Contractor gauge for drinking water (DW) applications, 4.5-inch stainless steel case
ª Model 213.53DW Bourdon tube pressure gauge, stainless steel drinking water (DW) series, liquid filled