Watts Water Technologies사는 자사의 브랜드 제품, 설비를 생산하던 기존 뉴햄프셔(New Hampshire), 프랭클린(Franklin) 보조 공장을 확장하여 수백만 달러, 삼만 평방 피트 규모의 주조 공장을 설립하였다. 주지사 매기 하싼(Maggie Hassan), 플랭클린 시장 케네스 메리필드(Kenneth Merrifield) 등 주 정부 고관들과 지역 유지들은 Watts Water의 고위 직원들과 이날 공장의 착수 기념 행사에 참석하였다.

이 납 없는 주조 공장은 내년 1월부터 시행되는 '음용수 내 납 감소 법안(Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act)'의 기준을 자발적으로 준수하기 위한 Watts Water사의 노력이 반영되어 있다. 법안은 인간의 섭수 과정에 사용되는 모든 종류의 파이프, 설비 등에 내포되어 있는 납 함량에 제한을 두고 있다. 이에 따라 Watts Water사의 새로운 주조 공장은 납이 전혀 들어가지 않은 제품만을 생산할 계획이다.

NORTH ANDOVER, MA, July 3, 2013 -- Watts Water Technologies, Inc., opened a multimillion dollar, 30,000 square foot foundry, an expansion to its Franklin, N.H., facility of one of its operating subsidiaries, which produces products for many of its brands. The state and local dignitaries, including Governor Maggie Hassan and Franklin Mayor Kenneth Merrifield, joined officials from Watts Water to celebrate the occasion.

The new lead-free foundry reflects the company's commitment to proactively meet the requirements of the "Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act," which goes into effect in January 2014. The law establishes new limits on the lead content in every pipe, fixture, and fitting used to convey water for human consumption. The company's new foundry will produce lead-free products exclusively.

"This is a great day for our company and its employees, our industry, and the Franklin community," said Watts Water Technologies CEO and President David Coghlan, who noted that the new foundry will produce lead-free versions of products already produced in Franklin, and additional products, as well. "It will enable us to be the 'safe choice' for lead-free products, since we can eliminate the possibility of cross contamination of materials. It will also enable us to provide efficient and timely availability of products."

New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan commended the company for the types of products produced, which contribute to public health and safety, and for the company's educational efforts around the lead-free initiative. She also complimented the Franklin workforce, noting that the work effort here is "extraordinary." She added that the company is emblematic of the ingenuity found across the Granite State. "We can make great things here," she said, "and share them across the world."

[출처: Waterworld / 2013년 7월 3일]