Lead-Free, Regulation Compliant Water Valves from ASCO and Mead O'Brien

Mead O'Brien ASCO Lead-free valves

Lead is extremely toxic. Tight US safety regulations affect manufacturers of products such as drinking water fountains, reverse osmosis systems, coffee machines. and commercial kitchen equipment. A lead-free system cannot contain soldering flux with greater than 0.2% lead content, or more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead in the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. Under the law, lead free is a cumulative concept. Let's take an example. A manufacturer who makes dishwashers performs the lead content calculation, averaging all of the models relevant components. A brass valve has 2.5% lead content in the brass parts, well over the 0.25% limit. But the small wetted surface area of the valve is outweighed by the large wetted surface of the stainless steel tank with zero lead content. No design changes are needed to comply with the law.

Considerations for Solenoid Valve Selection

  • Brass can have 2.5% lead content, so you must do a calculation to ensure compliance.
  • Lead-free brass products are now available.
  • Composite and plastic components are lead free.
  • Stainless steel is lead free, but it remains expensive.
  • NSF approved valves are often the preferred choice and may even be mandated in the future

ASCO Lead-Free Valve Solutions

ASCO Series 212 Composite Valves - These composite valves are designed for use in potable water applications and come with NSF certifications. Installation is made easy through the FasN system, with multiple end connector options. Download the Series 212 Brochure for more information.

ASCO Series 210 Solenoid Valves - ASCO has introduced new lead-free brass solenoid valves to the market that are aimed at providing a safer alternative to standard brass valves. The new products meet the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1417 low lead requirements. 

DOWNLOAD THE ASCO LEAD-FREE SOLUTIONS CATALOG, THE SERIES 212 CUT-SHEET, AND THE SERIES 210 CUT-SHEET FROM THIS MEAD O'BRIEN WEB PAGE

For more information about ASCO products, contact Mead O'Brien. Call them at (800) 892-2769 or visit their website at https://meadobrien.com.

Armstrong International Expands Partnership with Mead O'Brien to Kansas and Western Missouri


For over 93 years, Mead O'Brien St. Louis has successfully represented Armstrong International in eastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. Both companies enjoyed strong sales growth and cultivated deep customer loyalty during that time. In October 2020, Armstrong International rewarded Mead O'Brien's success by assigning them representation in western Missouri and Kansas. 


Founded in 1900, Armstrong International is a family-owned company headquartered in Three Rivers, Michigan. Armstrong International provides intelligent control systems for steam, air, and hot water utility applications that improve performance, lower energy consumption, and reduce environmental emissions. Broadly stated, Armstrong International offers steam trapping and steam tracing equipment, steam system testing and monitoring products, condensate recovery equipment, and industrial hot water systems.


Mead O'Brien provides local expertise in industrial steam systems, hot water systems, and process control loops in all or parts of ten Midwestern states, including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Indiana, Western Kentucky, and the Texas Panhandle. Mead O'Brien Sales Engineers are experts at identifying and quantifying energy losses from steam pipes, industrial and commercial boilers, and hot water systems and have a reputation as solution providers for the most demanding applications.


Services offered by Mead O'Brien and Armstrong:

Utilities System Audits:

  • Steam Distribution
  • Process Heat Transfer and Control
  • Condensate Return
  • Heat Recovery Opportunities
  • Process, Ambient & Combustion Air
  • Steam Trap Surveys & Database Creation
  • Humidification Assessment
  • Application issues; coil freezing issues, poor heat transfer & steam control, water hammer issues, high back-pressure

Steam, Condensate, & Hot Water Measurements, Control & Monitoring

Learning Systems:

  • Armstrong University - Over 130 web-based courses
  • Mead O'Brien Live Steam Lab

For more information, contact Mead O'Brien by calling (800) 892-2769 or visit their website at https://meadobrien.com.