Is this item drinking water safe? Yes.  Water flowing through your ELEY reels, hoses, and watering tools stays pure because we use only 100% drinking water-safe internal component materials. From the lead-free brass and rubber seals, down to the assembly lube—it’s all safe.  Can the water flow in either direction? Yes.  The internal valve is a ball that simply turns the flow of the water on or off, regardless of which direction it comes from.  You can also set the ON/OFF lever at any position to adjust the flow of water from fully on, to fully off, or anywhere in-between.