There is no lead in your water when it leaves the treatment works. Where lead is found in tap water, it usually comes from old lead pipework in or leading to the home. Medical evidence suggests that lead, in excessive levels, may be harmful to pregnant women and young children, therefore it is sensible to reduce the possible consumption of lead as much as possible.

Properties built or modified after 1970 are unlikely to have lead pipes.

Do I have lead piping?

You can tell if you have lead piping because the pipes have a dull grey colour and when scratched reveal a bright silver colour.

What to do if you have lead piping

Even if you have lead pipes, the level of lead in the water will vary, with the highest levels being found when water has been lying in the pipes for a while e.g. first thing in the morning or on return from holiday.

A good procedure to follow is to run your tap when you use the water for drinking purposes, so that you are drawing fresh water from our mains.

The majority of the water we supply is hard and has the advantage of lining the pipework, making the lead less likely to leach into the water that goes through it. This protection is insufficient as the lining is uneven and has the potential to break off, leaving the pipe exposed. The level of lead permitted in water supplies is being reduced to 10 ug/l (microgrammes per litre) by 2013 and in order to comply, we are dosing the water with food grade orthophosphate in areas where there is a predominance of lead supply pipes. This method of treatment will provide an impermeable lining to the interior wall of the lead pipework, thereby reducing the tendency of lead being dissolved into the water.

If you decide to replace your part of the lead service pipe, we will replace our part free of charge.

More About Water Quality:

• Taste & Odour
• Appearance
• Water Quality Zones
• Water Hardness
• Fluoride
• Lead
• Water Quality Homepage