Abstract: A sanitary water valve in the form of a single shut-off valve or a mixing valve having one or more operating handles, especially a single-lever mixing valve with water passages and at least one water outlet. A valve body is provided that is made of a metal alloy that contains lead and that serves for receiving control components, especially components integrated into a cartridge. Water inlet lines are connected to the cartridge via an insert that is disposed adjacent to the cartridge. To prevent contact between water flowing through the parts of the valve that are made of brass alloys containing lead, the inner surfaces of the water passages are protected by a water proof protection made of lead-free material that is non-hazardous to health.