Garden hoses are made from different materials, and the material affects what can end up in the water that comes out. The most detailed public data comes from the Ecology Center, an environmental organization founded in 1970, which analyzed 32 hoses bought from major retailers in 2016: 24 were PVC (vinyl) and eight were other materials such as polyurethane and rubber. This guide sets out what that study found by material and by label, plus an Ask Extension answer on lead from hoses in garden soil. It does not cover hose diameters or lengths.
According to the Ecology Center, 29% of the PVC hoses they examined contained at least 100 ppm of lead, with some reaching as high as 68,000 ppm. Phthalates were detected in 75% of the PVC hoses, and bromine above 1,000 ppm along with antimony above 500 ppm appeared in half of them. The researchers also found evidence that recycled electronic waste vinyl was used in a number of PVC hoses, which explained the combination of brominated flame retardants, lead, antimony, and tin in those products.
In contrast, the Ecology Center found that the non‑PVC hoses did not contain these contaminants; phthalates, for example, were found only in PVC hoses and not in the eight hoses made of other polymers. If you are also choosing what goes on the end of the hose, see our guide to hose nozzle types.
What the “Drinking Water Safe” Label Covers
The Ecology Center found that the ten hoses labeled “drinking water safe” were free of significant lead, bromine, antimony, and tin in the flexible hose layer. However, 30% of those hoses still contained potentially hazardous phthalates. The most common plasticizer in the hoses labeled safe for drinking was DOTP, which the Ecology Center calls a safer alternative to phthalates, but phthalates were still present in some.
It is also important to understand that “lead-free couplings” claims only address the metal fittings, not the hose itself. The Ecology Center noted that 15% of metal fittings across all hoses contained elevated lead, an improvement from five years earlier when 40% of fittings had high lead levels. So a claim about the fittings tells you nothing about the flexible hose.
The two polyurethane hoses labeled safe for drinking contained no chemicals of concern in the flexible part or the fittings. However, two out of three polyurethane hoses not labeled safe for drinking had elevated lead in their brass fittings, even though the hose material itself was clean. This means the safety of a polyurethane hose depends partly on the fittings, not just the tube.
Lead in Hoses and Your Garden Soil
An Ask Extension answer from the University of Maryland Extension’s Home & Garden Information Center addressed concerns about lead from garden hoses accumulating in garden soil. The response explained that even if a garden hose contains lead, it is very unlikely that the water used for irrigation would raise the soil lead level appreciably. The expert referenced a Michigan State University study that measured the effect of irrigating garden soil with water that had elevated lead and found only a very slight increase.
The same expert recommended using “drinking water safe” hoses for providing water to chickens, fish, or other animals, since lead can leach into water that sits in a hose. The Ecology Center’s own leaching check points the same way: when tap water was held in seven of the hoses for 48 hours, lead was detected in three of six samples at concentrations of 13, 19, and 20 ppb, levels near or above the EPA action level of 15 ppb for drinking water. BPA was also found in one sample at 87 ppb. Phthalates were not detected in the 2016 water samples, though the Ecology Center noted that similar leaching studies in 2012 and 2013 did find phthalates in hose water.
Comparison of Hose Materials and Safety Labels
The table below summarizes what the Ecology Center’s 2016 study found for different material and label combinations. All findings refer to the flexible hose part unless fittings are specifically mentioned.
| Material / Label | What the Ecology Center Found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| PVC, not labeled drinking water safe | Often contained lead (as high as 68,000 ppm), phthalates, bromine and antimony in the flexible plastic. | Recycled e-waste vinyl likely used in some hoses. |
| Labeled “drinking water safe” | The ten hoses with this label (of any material) were free of significant lead, bromine, antimony and tin; three of them contained phthalates. | DOTP was the most common plasticizer. Phthalates still possible. |
| Polyurethane, labeled drinking water safe | No chemicals of concern in the flexible part or fittings. | Only two hoses of this type were in the study. |
| Polyurethane, not labeled drinking water safe | No chemicals of concern in the flexible part. Two out of three had elevated lead in brass fittings. | Fittings can be a source of lead even when the hose material is clean. |
| Rubber and other non-PVC polymers | Did not contain the contaminants found in PVC hoses. | Eight of the 32 hoses were non‑PVC. |
For watering beds, the Ask Extension answer says lead from a hose is unlikely to raise soil lead appreciably; the bigger concern in both sources is water that people or animals drink. For the watering itself, see our sprinkler types guide and drip irrigation kit guide.
Using a Hose With This in Mind
The Ask Extension answer says you should not drink water from garden hoses that contain lead in their vinyl layers and fittings, because some of the lead can leach into the water, and that it would be prudent to use hoses labeled “drinking water safe,” which do not contain lead, to provide water for animals. The Ecology Center’s leaching results came from water that had sat in hoses for 48 hours, which is why water left standing in a hose is the case to think about before anyone drinks it. If you want a hose for drinking water or animals, look for the “drinking water safe” label, and remember that a “lead‑free couplings” claim covers only the fittings.
For a broader look at tools that make watering easier and safer, visit our watering equipment guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink from a garden hose if it says “drinking water safe”?
The Ecology Center found that the ten hoses with this label were free of significant lead, bromine, antimony and tin, but three of them still contained phthalates. So the label meant far fewer chemicals of concern in that study, but not none.
Will using a standard garden hose contaminate my vegetable garden soil?
According to the Ask Extension expert, it is very unlikely that watering with a hose that contains lead will raise soil lead levels appreciably. A Michigan State University study cited in the response found only a very slight increase in soil lead from irrigation with lead-containing water.
Are all polyurethane hoses a safe choice?
The Ecology Center’s study showed that polyurethane hoses labeled safe for drinking had no chemicals of concern in the hose or fittings. However, some polyurethane hoses without that label had elevated lead in their brass fittings, so it is worth checking both the material and the fitting composition.
For more on choosing and using watering tools, see our watering equipment category page.
