AWWA WQTC64038

Low lead brass alloys comprised of copper-bismuth and selenium-bismuth alloys (SeBiLOY or Envirobrass™, and Federalloy™) have been developed for use in potable water applications. These alloys are formed by substituting selenium and bismuth for lead, with these elements replicating the high machinability and pressure tightness of leaded brass. SeBiLOY I and II are red brasses and SeBiLOY III is a yellow brass (CDA 2005). Many water utilities throughout the U.S. have begun to proactively specify non-leaded materials for their systems; however, there are several knowledge gaps associated with the performance of in-line and premise plumbing components made using these new non-leaded materials. Water utilities need to understand the performance of these non-leaded components in the field, the associated operations and maintenance issues that may arise with their use, and their potential for leaching other compounds into the drinking water. Because the installation of non-leaded brass components has only taken place within the last 5 years in the water industry, there is a lack of detailed information available. The development and installation of low lead brass components is bound up with the litigation resulting from California's Proposition 65, so background information on the lead lawsuits is also provided. This paper discusses the history and provisions of California Proposition 65, the so-called "LADWP lawsuit", general motivations for installing utility owned low lead brass components in the distribution system, and provides specific experience with these components from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Includes 9 references, tables, figures.