COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Messages of support for affected residents and our hardworking trades have helped lift spirits in the regions. Rheem have also put out information for homeowners with flood-affected water heaters at https://rheem.co.nz/support/ flood-affected/ Rinnai have a flood support cashback offer for impacted consumers on Rinnai appliances at www.rinnai.co.nz floods since 2007 with its 9.7km SMART (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel), which includes a two-tier motorway within the stormwater tunnel.

In the event of a major storm, the motorways are closed, and the tunnel is used to divert the floodwaters.

New Zealand faces challenges ahead. In the meantime, basic stormwater mitigation measures are crucial.

In a giant leap for the public health of New Zealanders, new tapware products available for sale must be ‘lead free’ from September 2025—but what’s happening beyond the toby? NZ Plumber reports on developments.

All residential plumbing products that may come into contact with drinking water must comply with Building Code Clause G12 Water Supplies. To demonstrate compliance, such products must be tested to joint Standard AS/NZS 4020:2005 Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water, which is referenced in Acceptable Solution G12/AS1.

Amended G12/AS1

The current allowable lead content limit for these products under G12/AS1 is 4.5%, but this is being significantly reduced.

An amendment to Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 will introduce a lead content limit of 0.25% for all new plumbing products that contain copper alloys and are intended for use in contact with drinking water.

The transition period will last until 1 September 2025, which aligns with timings for equivalent requirements coming into force in Australia.

Affected products include:

Copper alloy pipe fittings

Stainless steel braided hoses Valves, including backflow prevention

Taps and mixers

Water meters

Pumps for use with cold and heated water services

Water heaters

Residential water filtration equipment

Water dispensers.

Showers, washing machines, dishwashers and sanitary fixtures are not included.

The amended G12/AS1 will also clarify that all copper alloy water supply system components must be dezincification resistant to minimise premature corrosion. This change will have a transition date of a least one year from publication of the amended G12/AS1 in November 2023.

“By announcing this decision prior to the publication of the revised Acceptable Solution, our aim is to provide certainty and direction to the sector and give manufacturers and suppliers additional time to implement the required changes to the affected plumbing products,” said MBIE in its consultation outcome summary.

Industry support

This move towards ‘lead-free’ plumbing products comes after public consultation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation

Decisions to amend lead in plumbing product compliance requirements in G12/AS1 were announced by MBIE in November 2022. The revised G12/AS1 will be published this November. and Employment (MBIE) in mid-2022 on several proposed amendments to G12/AS1.

The proposal received resounding support, with 92% of the 40 submissions in favour— among them Master Plumbers, which has led the way in lobbying the government to remove lead from plumbing products.