TALLASSEE, ALABAMA – [September 30, 2009] – Neptune Technology Group Inc. has received confirmation from NSF International that Neptune NSF/ANSI 61 certified meters meet the Annex F reduced lead extraction requirements. Neptune meters have been in compliance since January 2005, more than two years prior to NSF International adopting the new requirements.
With this confirmation, the following Neptune meters are in compliance with the NSF/ANSI 61, Annex F requirements.
- Neptune® T-10 Meters 5/8"-2"
- HP Neptune Turbine Meters 1½"-10"
- Neptune HP TRU/FLO® Compound Meters 2-6””
- Neptune HP Fire Service Turbine Meter 3"-10"
- Neptune HP PROTECTUS® III Meter Assembly 4"-10"
- Neptune HP PROTECTUS III S Meter Assembly 4"-10"
- Aquity Meter 5/8"
- Neptune Strainers 2", 3", 4", 6", 8", 10"
Updates to the ANSI 61 standard are contained at the NSF website at www.nsf.org/info/standard61-FAQ.
Background
On September 19, 2007, NSF announced reduced lead extraction requirements (Annex F) to meet the new NSF/ANSI 61 standards that are scheduled to become effective July 1, 2012. These requirements were developed to further protect the health and safety of the public from exposure to lead. In accordance with this, changes to the evaluation criteria for lead extraction testing in the NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components–Health Effects were adopted by the NSF Drinking Water Additives Joint Committee.
These changes include:
- A reduction in the standard’s total allowable concentration (TAC) of lead from 15 μg/L to 5 μg/L.
- More than a 50% reduction of the Q Statistic* from 11 to 5 for all end-point devices, other than supply stops, flexible plumbing connectors, and miscellaneous components.
- More than a 75% reduction of the Q Statistic from 11 to 3 for supply stops, flexible plumbing connectors, and miscellaneous components.
- A three-fold reduction of the single product allowable concentration (SPAC) for lead from 1.5 μg/L to 0.5 μg/L.
*Q Statistic is a statistical calculation that compares the levels of lead extracted out of an end-point device, the decay of the extracting lead over a three-week process and the standard deviation between tested products – all normalized to a one liter draw average.
In response to these changes, NSF International and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commented, “As an independent, not-for-profit organization, we take the health and well being of the public very seriously. This change to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 is consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) requirements and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protect drinking water and improve public health,” said Bob Ferguson, Vice President, Water Systems.”
“EPA commends NSF for their continued efforts to reduce the public's exposure to lead," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water. "This revised standard is a constructive and cooperative step forward to lower the levels of lead in materials that come into contact with consumers' drinking water."
Neptune Technology Group is the first, and currently the only, water meter manufacturer certified by NSF International to be in compliance with the reduced lead extraction criteria contained in NSF/ANSI 61, Annex F. According to Neptune President Chuck DiLaura, “This compliance provides us with a certification that cannot be easily matched by any other manufacturer of bronze water meters. Furthermore, this compliance places us at the forefront in proactively developing no-lead and other green solutions to the water industry. With our 100% no-lead bronze foundry, we are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our drinking water and environment. Exceeding the reduced lead requirement provides our customers with the utmost confidence that Neptune products installed today not only meet the NSF/ANSI 61 standards of today but also will exceed the reduced lead standards of NSF/ANSI 61 in the future.”
Compliance with the Annex F requirements now identifies the Neptune T-10, HP Turbine, TRU/FLO, HP PROTECTUS III, HP Fire Service Turbine, Aquity, and Strainers as value-added products to the water industry.
About Neptune Technology Group Inc.
Neptune Technology Group Inc., a pioneer in the development of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology for more than 40 years, is a leading provider of data collection systems which are used to read more than 72 million meters per month. Since 1892 Neptune has continually focused on the evolving needs of utilities – revenue optimization, optional efficiencies, and improved customer service. Neptune continues to broaden its focus beyond automatic meter reading and metering to include service orders and meter asset management and to extend this capability to electric and gas utilities. Neptune provides utility automation software touching over 109 million connected customers throughout North America. For additional information, please visit the company website at www.neptunetg.com.