Why This Topic Matters
Consumers today are increasingly focused on what comes into contact with their water. Many conventional garden hoses made from PVC or vinyl may contain additives such as phthalates, plasticizers, or other substances that can leach into water under certain conditions.
Material quality, manufacturing processes, and product design all play an important role in reducing potential chemical exposure.
Drinking Water Safe Materials
ELEY products are manufactured using high-quality materials that are commonly used in applications involving drinking water contact. These materials include durable polyurethane hose materials and lead-free brass components selected for their durability, performance, and material quality.
Quick Summary
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ELEY products are manufactured using Drinking Water Safe Materials, including lead-free brass components and durable polyurethane hose materials.
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All wetted components — meaning the surfaces that come into contact with your water — comply with the relevant NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372, FDA food-contact, and SDWA lead-free requirements.
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Outdoor watering products are regulated differently than permanent plumbing products and do not carry NSF/ANSI 61 certification marks in the same manner as permanent plumbing components.
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Independent testing measured evaluated substances below laboratory detection limits under the conditions of the test.
Understanding “Drinking Water Safe” Standards for Outdoor Watering Products
The U.S. Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1974, tasking the EPA with establishing standards for drinking water quality. While the EPA regulates public water systems, it does not directly certify products.
NSF International is an independent organization that developed NSF/ANSI Standard 61, which establishes safety criteria for products that come into contact with drinking water. Certification indicates that a product has been evaluated for its potential to contribute contaminants to drinking water under established testing standards. The term “drinking water safe” is often associated with this standard because it evaluates the potential for contaminants to leach into drinking water from products used in plumbing systems.
NSF/ANSI Standard 372 addresses a different but related issue: lead content. It provides a method for determining whether the weighted average lead content of wetted surfaces complies with applicable lead-free requirements.
Together, these standards address two important considerations for water-contact materials: the potential for substances to leach into the water and the amount of lead present in wetted components.
Federal regulations treat outdoor watering products differently from plumbing products intended for permanent installation in drinking-water systems. As a result, garden hoses, hose reels, and outdoor watering tools are not subject to NSF-61 certification requirements in the same manner as permanent plumbing system components. Federal regulations also exempt certain products used exclusively for non-potable services—such as outdoor watering—from specific lead-free requirements under the SDWA. (See EPA guidance on exemptions for additional details)
Although outdoor watering products do not carry NSF/ANSI 61 certification marks in the same manner as permanent plumbing products, the materials used in those products may still meet relevant water-contact standards.
ELEY products are manufactured using high-quality materials commonly used in applications involving drinking-water contact, including durable polyurethane hose materials and lead-free brass components. All wetted components — meaning the surfaces that come into contact with your water — comply with the relevant NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372, and/or FDA food-contact requirements.
Independent Testing
To better understand material performance, ELEY commissioned independent third-party testing using a controlled water-contact evaluation.
In this evaluation, an ELEY hose assembly with brass components was filled with tap water and allowed to sit for an extended period (48 hours) before the water was analyzed using EPA Method 200.8 for trace elements.
Result:
All tested substances, including lead, were measured below the laboratory’s Reported Detection Limit (RDL) under the conditions of this test.
Federal “Lead-Free” Requirements (SDWA)
ELEY products are manufactured using materials that meet the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) definition of lead-free.
Under the SDWA, “lead-free” is defined as a weighted average of no more than 0.25% lead content across wetted surfaces.
Analysis of the wetted brass components used in ELEY products shows lead content of no more than 0.018%, which is well below this limit.
What This Means for You
- ELEY products are manufactured using high-quality materials commonly used in drinking water contact applications, including lead-free brass and durable polyurethane hose materials.
- All wetted components — meaning the surfaces that come into contact with your water — comply with the relevant NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372, and/or FDA food-contact requirements. The wetted brass components used in ELEY products also comply with SDWA lead-free standards.
- Independent testing measured evaluated substances below laboratory detection limits under the conditions of the test.
- All ELEY products are BPA-free. ELEY polyurethane hoses and nozzle/valve products are also PVC-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free.
Bottom Line
ELEY products are engineered with high-quality water-contact materials, including durable polyurethane hose and lead-free brass components. Combined with independent testing and compliance with applicable material standards, these materials reflect our commitment to quality, durability, and responsible product design.
