potable water frost-free sillcocks
I need several exterior sillcocks, frost-free.
I cannot find ANY models that are explicitly listed/certified NSF-61, 62 etc (or even advertising as “tested to …”, which is different but theoretically immaterial for the user)
The closest I can find is:
– Aquor hydrants: https://www.aquorwatersystems.com/. They discuss “drinking safe” in their FAQ, and sell products explicitly for that (such as this RV “city water inlet” https://www.aquorwatersystems.com/products/rv-city-water-inlet – clearly 100% intended to potable).
– BUT they are not nsf61, and their website doesn’t even clearly make any explicit certification claims. They did send me the attached cert, which is some sort of Austrailian certification for Tap water systems. I do not have access to the text of the regulation. Why a USA founded & centric company has that, not NSF, is … shady??
– Arrowhead sillcocks – most of which are lead free but none are labeled for NSF61 or potable specifically, as best I can tell. Example, https://arrowheadbrass.com/product/icebreaker-freeze-proof-wall-hydrant/?v=f24485ae434a ICEBREAKER 600 Series. Presumably this means NSF-372 or similiar – but that’s NOT the same as “for drinking water” as it doesn’t cover general leaching, only lead-free status.
Even the products explicitly made for getting “drinking water” in outdoor campgrounds are not listed with any proper leaching certs, only lead-free; such as https://www.prier.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/P-360-IOM.pdf
We have pretty hard water, which as per DZR type concerns, there is more to leaching chemicals than just lead.
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Replies
I should add - for two of the sillcocks, potable water is specifically the intended use.
This one says NSF 61
https://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Plumber-s-Choice-3-4-in-Hose-Bib-MIP-Sweat-Connection-4-in-Anti-Siphon-Sillcock-Valve-Frost-Free-Outdoor-Wall-Faucet-with-1-2-in-SILLVAC4N/320410248#overlay
Walta
Thanks for your reply - that listing says just "NSF" as best I can tell - which really doesn't mean anything at all (there are many NSF standards - only a couple of them are directly related to 'potable').
No problem with buying from a big-box, BUT the brand of this faucet doesn't really seem to have a web presence AFAICT, which does not inspire confidence there is anything more than a relabeller of anonymous goods behind it :(
I did find this: https://quarter-ball.com/sillcock/. The manufacturer clearly lists both Lead-Free and explicitly NSF-61, which would be perfect. Even better, it's a proper quarter turn valve.
However, both legit suppliers I checked (grainger, and supplyhouse) list it as explicitly *not* NSF-61. I reached out for an answer, hopefully can update this.
Not applicable to the potable application, but I have a sillcock from Quarter Ball and I specifically bought it due to the serviceability of the valve post installation (due to the way I have it flashed and air sealed) and so far so good. Seems like a quality product, overall.
https://www.aquorwatersystems.com responded with the following.
Basically they assert YES it's potable, but just hasn't been certified.
- our products are made with food safe materials but they're not specifically meant for drinking water
- the cost of getting NSF approval is exorbitant and just isn't applicable for most of our customers.
- they list the Australian approval simply because it was required by their plumbing code in order to list for sale (and they note it was covered by a distributor there, not Aquor)
Given Aquor's exorbitant prices, I find their response a bit rich. :-)
Did you see the label in this photo I read it as “LEAD FREE NSF-61G” on the product.
When I took one apart, I found a large rubber check valve that would prevent water from exiting the hose and going back into the house not to be confused with the septate vacuum breaker valve. I assume both safety valves are required by law today. I am not an expert on NSF tests and requirements but I doubt the check valve I saw would drain completely and I doubt the NSF requirements would allow standing water. Meeting the feds requirements as a hose bib and the NSF safety standards maybe a tall order.
Note the nameless company reprehensive can say anything on the phone I doubt he would put the same words in an Email or a letter.
Walta
ah, no I did miss that - thanks! Yes, being on the product is key.