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Water law will cost hardware stores

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 23, 2009 at 8:02 am

faucetsFrom the Vallejo Times-Herald:

“Starting Jan. 1, plumbing materials sold or installed statewide that carry drinking water can contain no lead, meaning millions of dollars worth of existing inventory must be flushed down the proverbial drain.

State officials contend the law helps prevent a variety of serious health concerns that can result from lead exposure.

Joe Pierre, owner of Vallejo’s O’Connor Lumber/Ace Hardware said he thinks it’s nice to make these fittings and fixtures healthier, but questions if it’s being done the best way. Pierre’s store will be disposing of about $12,000 worth of inventory, he said.

“This is an example of what’s wrong with California,” Pierre said. “To do this and not grandfather in the existing inventory — to not just say, ‘nothing containing lead can be sold in California after a certain date’ — is one of the reasons we have the economic problems we have in this state. Everyone in Vallejo is drinking out of these faucets and have been forever.” … “

Read more from the Vallejo Times-Herald by clicking here.

Photo of hardware store by flickr photographer calico_13 (Creative Commons).

November 23, 2009 · Filed Under Drinking Water, General Water Issues

Comments

One Response to “Water law will cost hardware stores”

  1. anonymous on November 23rd, 2009 9:45 pm

    Huh?

    There’s still lead in drinking water plumbing sold anywhere in the US, let alone California?

    You’re kidding me.

    What the hell were manufacturers thinking?
    The writing has been on the wall that lead must go for at least a decade.
    And now they’re complaining about it finally being totally outlawed in one state.

    Give me a break.

    This is as clear an example as you can get to why “voluntary” compliance doesn’t work.

    Unbelievable.

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