LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT
If your supply pipe is made of lead, we would advise you consider replacing it.
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In Scotland, water that leaves treatment plants contains virtually no lead. However, it may pick up lead as it passes through lead pipes either within your property or from the supply pipe/communications pipe that connects your property to the water main in the street.
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If your house was built before 1970 there is a higher chance you could have lead pipework.
In most cases Scottish Water are responsible for the water main in your street and the communication pipe up to, and including the stop cock, at the boundary of your property. Property owners are responsible for the supply pipe, which is the section of the service pipe from the boundary to the property itself.
Lead service pipes were phased out in the 1960s and became illegal in 1969. Therefore, if your property was built after 1970, there is little chance you will have a lead communications pipe. However, you may still have internal lead pipes or lead fittings.​​
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If your property was built after 1970 and you are concerned that you may have lead pipes. We recommend that you replace any lead internal to the property and the supply pipe and then request that we follow up to investigate and if necessary, renew any lead communications pipe from the external stop cock to the main in the street.
​Lead can be harmful to health, especially for unborn babies and young children, if exposed to significant quantities. Lead levels in drinking water must be kept as low as possible.
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The good news is, if you have lead it can be replaced. In addition most local authorities have schemes to help with the cost, get in touch to find out more.
