How does lead get into my tap?
Water leaving water treatment works and flowing through our water mains network is effectively lead-free.
Where lead is found in tap water, it usually comes from old lead pipework in, or near the home. The longer water is left to stand in these pipes, the more likely it is that traces of lead will be found in the water.
In addition, deposits containing lead can build up in pipes and may occasionally be dislodged.
Lead and your health
Awareness of the levels of lead in the environment has increased during recent years, with many of us now using lead-free petrol and avoiding lead containing paints.
Medical advice suggests that lead may be harmful if excessive levels are taken into the body. It is therefore sensible to ensure that as little lead as possible is consumed. This is especially important for pregnant women and young children.
Do I have lead pipework?
Lead has been used as a plumbing material since Roman times. If you live in a house built before 1970, you may wish to check whether your pipework is lead. Properties built or modified after 1970 are unlikely to have lead pipes – copper or plastics are now the most commonly used materials.
To check your pipework you should do the following:
Look for the point where the water pipe enters the house and check as much of the pipe’s length as possible. The pipe usually enters at the internal stop cock – which is often under the kitchen sink. Lead pipes are usually dark grey or black (unless painted) and the joints appear to be ‘swollen’. The metal is soft with a dull coating and when scraped gently with a coin, a shiny silver strip should be revealed.
If your home has been replumbed, it is still worth checking the pipe running from the water main outside your property to the stop tap inside your home. You should first scrape a short section of the pipe under your sink but if you are still unable to tell, you can scrape the pipe either side of your outside stop tap.
As a guide, other pipe materials have the following appearances:
- copper – bright or dull orange colour, and hard
- iron – dark, very hard and may be rusty
- plastic – may be grey, black or blue
How likely is my tap water to dissolve lead?
It depends on how hard your water is. Hard water has its critics, but one benefit is that it is less likely to allow lead from pipework to dissolve into the water. Water Authorites test their water supplies for their ability to dissolve lead and where tests show that there could be an increased likelihood, they introduced additional treatment at their works.
Many tests are performed on water quality every year. If you have lead pipes or would like us to measure the lead content of your tap water we would be happy to do so. Please call our customer helpline on 0800 389 3160 to arrange for a lead test at your property.
I’ve got lead pipes, what can I do to reduce lead levels?
If lead pipes are causing high lead levels in your tap water you can take some simple precautions:
- only use water from the kitchen cold tap for drinking and cooking purposes
- do not use water from any hot taps for drinking or cooking purposes as hot water dissolves more lead than cold water
- do not drink or cook with water that has stood for a long time in the pipes. As a guide, this means water standing overnight, or for several hours during the day. Run the cold tap to flush the water out, for a typical property, where the street is no more than 40 metres from the tap, filling a washing bowl is advisable. (You can collect this water for watering houseplants or for use in the garden.)
Ownership of pipes
Pipes under the road or pavements up to the boundary of your property are the responsibility of you local Water Authority. In most cases the pipes are not lead. The pipe from the property boundary to the internal plumbing is the responsibility of the property owner.
Grants may be available for renovation and minor works for households with low income. Information about this should be obtained from your local authority.
Replacement of lead pipework
If you opt to replace the lead pipework on the property, you local Water Autority will normally replace the pipework between the water main and the property boundary. In some cases if this is a like for like replacement, i.e. the same size pipework and the same connection point, this may be done free of charge, in other cases charges will be applicable.
For more information regarding the replacement of your lead pipework please contact our Customer Services Team on 0800 389 3160 .
Where can I get more advice?
Your local Environmental Health Officer can also give advice.
Our Qualified Plumbers registered can assist you with any pipe replacement requirements.
