Drinking Water Safe & Garden Hoses: What You Need to Know

woman drinking from an ELEY polyurethane garden hoseWhy 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.

ELEY products are manufactured using high-quality materials commonly used in applications involving drinking water contact, including durable polyurethane hose and brass fittings. These materials are also used in applications where FDA and NSF standards may apply, helping reduce additives commonly found in lower-grade hoses.

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 will not leach harmful contaminants into water.

The term “drinking water safe” is often associated with NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (NSF-61), which evaluates the potential for contaminants to leach into drinking water from products used in plumbing systems.

However, garden hoses, hose reels, and outdoor watering tools are not subject to NSF-61 certification requirements. Federal regulations exempt certain products used exclusively for non-potable services—such as outdoor watering—from specific lead-free requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). (See EPA guidance on exemptions)

As a result, outdoor watering products are not NSF-61 certified in the same manner that plumbing products are—even when the materials used may meet applicable standards.

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 product materials shows that ELEY products are well below this limit (≤ 0.018%).

Independent Testing & Real-World Use

To better understand product performance, ELEY conducted independent third-party testing under real-world conditions.

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.

What This Means for You

  • ELEY products are manufactured using materials that meet or exceed SDWA lead-free standards.
  • Materials meet federal “lead-free” standards (≤ 0.25% weighted average lead content).
  • Testing has shown non-detectable levels under evaluation conditions.
  • High-quality materials help limit the use of common additives.

  • Exposure levels may vary depending on use conditions.

Bottom Line

ELEY products are engineered using high-quality materials commonly used in drinking water contact applications, evaluated under real-world conditions, and manufactured to meet or exceed SDWA lead-free standards.

While trace elements may be present at very low levels in certain components, even materials that meet lead-free standards, ELEY focuses on product quality and providing clear, accurate information to help customers make informed decisions.