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MANUFACTURER - WAVIN
WAVIN IRELAND CONSIDERS UPDATES TO THE 1998 DRINKING WATER DIRECTIVE AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR INSTALLERS AND SPECIFIERS… Preparing for new EU law on lead in drinking water
Wavin Tigris M5
WHAT IS HAPPENING? Reflecting water’s importance to
the UBA list and recognised hallmarks like DVGW, KIWA and IIP all remain valid until then - unless member states decide otherwise.
individual health, wider society and the economy, the European Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding water quality by updating the 1998 Drinking Water Directive (DWD) and introducing a related EU Positive List. SAFEGUARDING DRIVEN BY SCIENCE Using the latest scientific recommendations as a guide, the EC’s updates to the DWD focus primarily on materials that come into contact with drinking water. The changes introduce up-to-date quality standards for microbiological, chemical and indicator parameters, including new requirements for lead concentration in water at the tap. Implementation of the DWD 2020/2184 has been mandatory for EU states since January 2023 and the new parameters must be met by January 2036. The Irish Government transposed new EU drinking water regulations into law in March 2023, which will mean more oversight of group water schemes and of Uisce Éireann. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE STANDARDS? The principal changes to the DWD involve Article 11 and include stricter standards for all materials in contact with drinking water. Most notably, permissible levels of lead have been halved from the current maximum of 10 µg/L at the tap to 5 µg/L. Strengthening these updates to Article 11, the European Chemicals Agency has established an EU Positive List that comes into force in December 2026. This list mandates hygiene requirements for water-contact materials like pipes and fittings, working in conjunction with Article 11 to safeguard water from
STAYING AHEAD OF THE TURNING TIDE
For EU member states, attention is now turning to the development of appropriate action plans to ensure compliance with the updated DWD by 2036. These plans will be extensive, covering the replacement of pipes and fittings, information initiatives targeting consumers and time to test and monitor drinking water outputs before the new 5 µg/L limit comes into force. WAVIN SUPPORTING SAFER DRINKING WATER Wavin is taking a proactive approach to the DWD changes and is already transitioning to 100% lead-free brass fittings and fixtures across a range of markets. As part of this evolution, it’s moving from CW617N and CW625N brass to CW724R – a DZR brass that’s lead-free (< 0,1 % w/w), dezincification resistant and approved in the new European Positive List. Phased release has already begun, with CW724R products currently available in Germany, Nordic regions, UK and Ireland. Other EU regions are set to follow shortly. For projects that can take years to progress, these product uplifts mean compliance with upcoming DWD standards is already guaranteed across Wavin’s suite of drinking water products. These products will soon have accompanying EPDs, including the award- winning brass-bodied Tigris M5 and K5
Wavin Tigris K5
source to tap. The list specifies that these materials must demonstrate a maximum of 0.1% weight/weight for lead in lead- containing alloys such as brass, bronze and gunmetal. New products will be required to comply with the list from December 2026, with new hallmarks expected to reach the market in 2028. These logos specifically address drinking water requirements and will therefore augment, rather than replace, many existing quality marks. Existing products have until 2032 to conform, meaning current certifications, national hygiene tests, registration on
press-fit plumbing systems. E: projects.ie@wavin.com www.wavin.ie
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