Lead water pipes: how to tell, and who replaces what
Lead supply pipes are mostly found in homes built before about 1970. Lead is dull grey, soft, and shows bright silver when gently scratched, and a magnet will not stick to it. The water company normally owns the pipe up to your boundary or outside stop valve; the supply pipe from there into the property, and the pipework inside, are the owner's. Many water companies run lead replacement schemes, so check with your supplier before arranging work.
Key facts
- Most likely in
- Homes built before about 1970
- Scratch test
- Soft, dull grey pipe shows bright silver
- Magnet test
- A magnet will not stick to lead
- Water company owns
- Usually the pipe up to the boundary or outside stop valve
- Owner owns
- The supply pipe into the property and all internal pipework
How to recognise a lead pipe
Look at the pipe where it enters the property, usually near the internal stop tap:
- • Dull grey colour, often with rounded, swollen joints.
- • Soft enough that a gentle scratch with a coin shows bright silver.
- • Not magnetic — a fridge magnet will not stick (iron pipe would).
- • Knocking it gives a dull thud rather than the ring of copper or iron.
Why it matters
Lead can dissolve into water that stands in the pipe, and there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Babies, young children and pregnant women are most at risk. Water companies treat supplies to reduce lead pick-up, but replacing the pipe is the only permanent fix.
Until it is replaced, run the cold tap for a short while first thing in the morning or after the water has been standing, and use only cold water from the kitchen tap for drinking and cooking.
Who owns which part
The water company normally owns the communication pipe from its main to the boundary of your property or the outside stop valve, and repairs or replaces that part. The supply pipe from there into the building, and everything inside, belongs to the property owner. Shared supply pipes, common in older terraces, are the joint responsibility of the properties they serve.
Replacement schemes
Many water companies replace their own lead pipe free of charge when an owner replaces the supply pipe on their side, and some offer more help in particular areas. Rules, approved-plumber requirements and timescales differ, so contact your water supplier before booking anything. Your water bill shows who supplies you.
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