Due to the new European Regulations and to the new material tests prescribed
by the European Acceptance Scheme, most current materials for domestic distribution
of drinking water will have to be substituted for. Performances of stainless steel,
as compared with other materials, are highlighted considering sanitary aspects and fitness
for purpose as well. The new press-fitting technique makes it possible to join stainless
steel plumbing easily, thus alleviating the only difficulty with stainless steel
installation. This opens the way for the development of stainless steel in drinking
water distribution.