Knowledge base · Water supply
How can I tell whether my home has lead water pipes?
A home built before 1970 may have lead water pipes; one built after 1970 is unlikely to. DWI advises checking the pipe close to the internal stop tap, where the supply first enters, and asking the water company to test the kitchen tap if you suspect lead.
Unpainted lead is dull grey, soft and may have a swollen joint. DWI says a very gentle scrape with a coin can reveal shiny silver-coloured metal beneath; wear disposable gloves and avoid making or breathing dust. Copper is hard and brown, iron is very hard and may rust, and modern plastic supply pipe is often blue.
Do not disturb the pipe unnecessarily. Lead can dissolve into water while it stands, and pipe work can temporarily increase levels. DWI recommends using freshly drawn cold kitchen-tap water for drinking and cooking and replacing lead pipework as the long-term measure.
Responsibility is split: the water company normally owns the communication pipe to the external stop valve, while the owner is responsible for the supply pipe after it. Contact the supplier before replacement because it may need to replace its own lead section too.
Photographs cannot confirm the lead concentration in water, and a non-lead pipe beside the stop tap does not prove that every buried section has been replaced. Ask the supplier what records it holds and whether it offers sampling or a replacement scheme. If buying a property, DWI suggests asking the surveyor to inspect the pipe material and condition. Use a qualified plumber for replacement and keep the certificate and supplier correspondence with the home's records.
Do not sand, heat or cut suspected lead merely to identify it; leave intrusive checks and replacement planning to competent people.
Sources
- Lead in drinking water — Drinking Water Inspectorate, accessed 14 November 2026.