Ohio

Fact Sheet Regarding NSF Standard 61 Compliance
Public water systems should be aware of the following facts regarding water meters they install in Ohio:

  • Ohio Administrative Code Section 3745-83-01 requires water meters installed by public water systems to be tested and certified in accordance with Standard 61 Section 8 of the NSF International certification process.
  • Ohio adopted the NSF Standard 61 compliance requirements to minimize the amount of lead leached from water meters and other plumbing fixtures into public drinking water systems.
  • Traditional water meters made from waterworks bronze (UNS C-8440) contain 6% - 8% lead by weight and do not comply with NSF Standard 61 Section 8.
  • Neptune meters are constructed from a no-lead high copper alloy that was developed by ASARCO Specialty Products in collaboration with the Copper Development Association (CDA), American Foundry Society (AFS), Canada Centre for Minerals and Energy Technology (CANMET), and the Association of Brass & Bronze Ingot Manufacturers to minimize lead content in the alloy and the potential for lead leaching from plumbing fixtures. This no-lead high copper alloy reduces the lead content in the alloy used for Neptune meters to less than 1/4 of 1% by weight. All Neptune meters made from a no-lead high copper alloy have been tested and certified as complying with NSF Standard 61 Section 8. 1
  • If public water systems in Ohio install water meters that do not comply with NSF Standard 61 Section 8, they are subject to potential enforcement action initiated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and potential claims from customers for failure to comply with the regulations.
  • If public water systems have questions about compliance with NSF Standard 61 Section 8, they should contact the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at 614-644-2752.
  • Neptune has retained the San Francisco law firm of Barg Coffin Lewis & Trapp, LLP, a firm specializing in environmental matters and experienced with NSF Standard 61 compliance issues, to assist it in providing service to its customers and potential customers regarding NSF Standard 61 compliance.

1 NSF/ANSI STANDARD 61