Reducing lead risks if you still use lead pipes

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. Its widespread use has resulted in extensive environmental contamination, human exposure and significant public health problems in many parts of the world.

Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time.

Most people know of these risks and we all know that homes in the UK used to use lead water pipes extensively. The Government banned the use of lead pipes in homes back in the 1970s, but many brick houses in the North West of England were built before this, and unless they have been fully modernised it is likely that at least some lead pipes are in use. At the very least many of these homes still have a supply pipe made from lead. Rough estimates suggest it could be a third of all properties in the North West that still have lead pipes in use.

So how do you know if you have lead pipes and how to reduce the risk?

On the outside of your home open the flap of the stop. Examine the pipe leading from the stop valve to your house. You might want to ask your water company or a plumber to carry out this check for you as, in some cases, access can be difficult.

Inside your house, if you access some of your water pipes you can normally tell the material by the colour and feel. Lead pipes are generally dull and grey with irregular bends. You can normally gently scrape them exposing the shiny, silver-coloured metal beneath.

Alternatively, most properties will use copper pipes which are a bright copper call and a hard metal. Plastic pipes should be easy to identify and they should be typically blue but, if older, may be grey or black.

If you do have lead pipes it is not the end of the world, you shouldn’t be exposing yourself to too much lead, but it is still advisable to try and reduce your exposure.

There are also a few simple things you can do to minimise the health risks.

Run the water: when you wake up in the morning, run the cold tap in the kitchen to flush out any water that has been standing in the pipes overnight. A sink full should do it. You can always use this water for your plants.

Use the kitchen tap: only use water from the cold tap in the kitchen for drinks and food preparation.

Bottled water: if you decide to give babies and infants bottled water, or use it for preparing infant formula, check the label to make sure it contains less than 200mg per litre of sodium (Na).

Do not disturb: try not to disturb or knock lead pipes as this can increase the lead in your water.

However, please be aware that boiling your water does not remove the lead content from your water.

If your supply pipe (the underground pipe that brings water into your home) is longer than 30 metres, measured from your property boundary to the building, the advice to run the water each morning may not be effective in removing lead. In these circumstances, it’s worth giving serious consideration to getting your lead pipes replaced.

Replacing all the pipes in your home is advisable sooner or later even if you do follow the above recommendations. Lead will start to develop leaks, and constant patch-ups are not feasible. Lead pipes are also typically associated with low water pressure, so if you have a nice new combi boiler, using MDPE pipes should help water pressure noticeably.

Steve Hastings is the owner of Steve Hastings Drainage and has specialised in blocked drains and drainage for the last 20 years.

Steve Hastings is the owner of Steve Hastings Drainage and has specialised in blocked drains and drainage for the last 20 years.