Help & Advice
Lead Pipe in Scotland
What is Lead?
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has been used in plumbing systems since Roman times. In fact, the word plumbing comes from the Latin word plumbum, meaning lead. For many centuries, lead pipe was favoured for plumbing due to its durability, flexibility, and ease of installation. It was commonly used for both internal plumbing and the pipe that connects a property to the mains supply.
In some older water networks, a flexible section of lead pipe known as a “gooseneck” was used to connect rigid steel or copper pipes to the water main. These can still exist beneath roads and pavements and often go unnoticed for decades.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Even in small amounts, it can be harmful if consumed over time. It is especially dangerous for unborn babies and children under the age of six, whose bodies and brains are still developing.
The World Health Organization advises that there is no safe level of exposure to lead. For children, lead exposure can affect brain development and behaviour. Pregnant women are also at higher risk, as lead can cross the placenta and affect the unborn baby. In adults, lead exposure may contribute to high blood pressure and kidney issues.
Why Is Lead in Drinking Water a Problem?
Lead water pipes may no longer be installed in modern homes, but they remain embedded in Scotland’s housing stock—especially in pre-1970s buildings. As long as lead pipes remain in place, there will be a risk, particularly in households with vulnerable residents.
Until every lead pipe in Scotland is removed, lead will continue to pose a measurable threat to public health. The only way to be certain your water is free from lead is to test it and, if necessary, replace the source.
It might not seem like a small amount of lead in drinking water could cause harm—but if consumed regularly over time, lead builds up in the body and can become dangerous.
Disturbance to lead pipes—such as during nearby roadworks or home renovations—can temporarily increase lead levels in your tap water. If you’ve had work done on or near your property, it is advisable to run your cold taps for 10 minutes to flush out any water that may have absorbed lead particles.
To stay on the safe side, it’s a good idea to run your cold water tap for at least two minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking—especially if the water has been sitting in the pipes overnight or after a long period of non-use.
Understanding Lead Pipes in Scotland: History, Health Risks, and Removal Challenges
Historically, lead was widely used across Scotland in various applications, including petrol, paint, and plumbing systems. Before the 1970s, it was standard practice to use lead pipes to connect homes to the public mains water supply, thanks to lead’s malleability and resistance to corrosion. This practice continued until the health risks of lead exposure became widely recognised.
In 1969, the use of lead pipes in new plumbing installations was officially banned in Scotland. However, many older properties—particularly those built before this date—may still contain lead pipes, especially in underground supply lines or internal plumbing that hasn’t been modernised. As long as these legacy pipes remain in place, there is a risk that lead may leach into drinking water.
How Lead Enters the Water Supply
Water sourced from Scottish reservoirs and treated at Scottish Water’s works does not contain lead. There are no lead water mains in Scotland’s public supply network. However, water can still become contaminated as it travels through private plumbing that contains lead.
Lead typically enters drinking water through:
-
Lead supply pipes (from the external stop valve into the home)
-
Lead communication pipes (from the public water main to the boundary)
-
Internal lead pipes within the property
-
Old lead solder used to join copper pipes
-
Lead-lined storage tanks, common in older homes
The risk increases when water remains stagnant in lead pipes for several hours—such as overnight or during periods of low use—allowing lead to dissolve into the water. The longer the water stands still, the greater the amount of lead that can leach into it.
Other Causes of Lead in Drinking Water
Disturbance to lead pipes—such as nearby roadworks, construction, or renovations—can temporarily increase lead levels. Vibrations or disruption can dislodge particles inside the pipe, causing short-term spikes in contamination. This is why it is advisable to run your cold tap for at least 10 minutes if work has taken place near your property.
Even if your property no longer has lead pipes, lead may still enter the water supply through old fittings, solder joints, or tanks. These components can also contribute small but harmful amounts of lead.
The Role of Water Hardness
Lead dissolves more easily in soft water, which is common in many parts of Scotland. This makes Scottish homes particularly vulnerable to lead contamination, especially where old pipes remain in place. Soft water has fewer minerals, which means it provides less of a protective coating inside pipes that would otherwise reduce lead absorption.
Naturally Occurring Lead in Groundwater
Although rare, small amounts of naturally occurring lead can sometimes be found in Scottish groundwater—particularly in areas with a history of mining. For example, regions such as Leadhills and Wanlockhead in South Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway have a long legacy of lead mining. These areas may experience localised lead contamination in soil and water, but this is not a widespread issue across Scotland.
Who Is Most at Risk from Lead Pipe?
-
Infants and children under 6 > Brain development issues, learning difficulties, lower IQ
-
Pregnant women and unborn babies > Premature birth, low birth weight, developmental impairment
-
Adults (long-term exposure) > Kidney issues, high blood pressure, cognitive decline, reproductive harm
Lead is tasteless, odourless, and invisible—so testing and replacement of lead pipe is the only way to be sure your water is safe. If your home was built before 1970, or you suspect lead pipes may be present, arrange a lead test and consider replacing affected sections without delay.
Protecting your household starts with awareness—and ends with action.
The Bigger Issue: Legacy Plumbing
Despite modern water systems being lead-free at the point of treatment, thousands of properties across Scotland still have legacy lead pipes underground or within the home—often without the homeowner even realising it. These hidden pipes remain the most common source of lead in Scottish drinking water today.
Protecting Your Home from Lead Exposure
To reduce the risk of lead in your drinking water, Scottish Water and public health authorities recommend:
-
Identifying and replacing any lead pipes, particularly in properties built before 1970
-
Running the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking, especially after long periods of non-use
-
Testing your water if you suspect lead contamination
-
Consulting with ScotWater
The only permanent solution is to replace all lead pipe—both underground and inside the property. Until then, simple precautionary measures can help reduce exposure.
How Can I Find Out If There Is Lead in My Drinking Water in Scotland?
Step 1: Check for Lead Pipe
Inspect the pipe near your internal stop tap (usually under the kitchen sink). Lead pipes:
-
Are dull grey
-
Scratch to shiny silver
-
Are soft to the touch
Even if internal pipes look modern, the underground supply could still be lead.
Step 2: Request a Water Quality Test
Contact Scottish Water to request a free test. A sample will be taken from your kitchen tap after the water has been standing overnight—ideal conditions to detect lead.
Step 3: Receive Written Results and Guidance
If lead is detected:
-
You’ll receive written advice on health precautions
-
You'll be informed of your responsibilities as the property owner
-
Scottish Water will assess and replace their section once yours is upgraded
-
You may be advised on available grants or support
What If Lead Is Found?
If your test shows elevated lead levels:
-
Arrange immediate replacement of all private-side lead pipe and fittings
-
Keep documentation of tests and replacements
-
Notify tenants or landlords
How Often Does Lead Contamination Occur?
Water testing conducted across the UK continues to detect elevated levels of lead in a notable number of samples—often well above the current UK regulatory limit of 10 micrograms per litre (10 µg/L or 10 ppb). In studies involving households that requested lead testing (typically due to concerns about older plumbing), around 6–12% of samples exceeded the legal limit, while over 20% exceeded the upcoming EU standard of 5 µg/L, set to take effect in 2036.
These findings suggest that while average national figures may appear reassuring, localised lead contamination can easily go undetected—especially in homes that have never been tested.
How Is Scotland Managing the Risks
To help reduce the risk of lead contamination in drinking water, Scottish Water adds orthophosphate to the public water supply. This compound forms a protective layer inside lead pipes, reducing the amount of lead that dissolves into the water.
While orthophosphate treatment is effective, it is not foolproof. Lead can still enter the water supply under certain conditions, including:
-
When lead deposits inside pipes become dislodged due to plumbing or building work
-
When the protective phosphate coating is disturbed
-
When water sits stagnant in lead pipes for long periods (e.g. overnight)
-
When phosphate dosing is missed or interrupted due to system errors or maintenance
Even temporary disruptions in phosphate treatment can allow lead levels to rise in affected properties, particularly those with legacy lead plumbing.
Replacing Lead Pipes in Scotland: Summary of Responsibilities and Challenges
Across Scotland, many older properties—particularly those built before 1970—still rely on outdated lead pipes to supply drinking water. Replacing these pipes is the only permanent way to eliminate the risk of lead exposure. However, the process can be complex due to split ownership of the pipe and various practical barriers.
Long-Term Solutions While mitigation steps help reduce lead exposure, the only permanent solution is to replace lead pipe entirely. Here’s what you should do:
-
Hire a WaterSafe-Approved Plumber: Use ScotWater to inspect and replace any internal lead pipe. These professionals comply with Scottish water safety regulations.
-
Replace Your Supply Pipe: Replace the private pipe running from the external stopcock to your home. Once completed, notify Scottish Water. If the public-side communication pipe is lead, they will replace it free of charge.
-
Request a Water Test: Scottish Water provides free lead sampling for concerned households. This can confirm if further action is needed.
Testing for Lead Pipes If your home was built before 1970, you can request a free water sample test from Scottish Water. A technician will:
-
Collect samples from your kitchen cold tap
-
Take both flushed and stagnation samples
-
Test the external supply from the boundary stop tap (if accessible)
If lead is detected:
-
Scottish Water will investigate the communication pipe
-
If it’s lead and your private pipe is replaced, they will replace their section for free
Scottish Water's Commitment Scottish Water continues to:
-
Treat public water supplies with orthophosphate to minimise lead solubility
-
Carry out proactive surveys in lead-prone areas
-
Replace lead communication pipes once homeowners replace their private pipes
Legal Requirements for Landlords Under the Repairing Standard:
-
All private rented homes must be free of lead pipes by March 2024
-
There must be no lead pipe from the boundary stopcock to any drinking water outlet
-
This includes underground pipes, internal plumbing, lead-lined tanks, and solder joints
Landlord Responsibilities Landlords must:
-
Inspect all visible plumbing
-
Hire ScotWater to locate lead pipes
-
Replace any lead pipes between the external stop tap and the kitchen tap
Advice for Tenants If you rent your home and suspect lead pipes:
-
Notify your landlord
-
Request a water test
-
Share the results with your landlord to encourage compliance with the Repairing Standard
Scottish Water’s Role Scottish Water is responsible for:
-
The public water main
-
The communication pipe running to the property boundary
They are required to:
Replace any lead communication pipe if the private supply has been replaced
Still Not Sure? If there is any uncertainty:
-
Inform tenants and take interim safety precautions (e.g., flushing taps)
-
Arrange for testing
-
Maintain communication with Scottish Water for further action
After Replacement Once all known lead pipe is removed:
-
Scottish Water may retest your water
-
Landlords must document and confirm compliance
Shared Supply Pipes in Flats or Tenements
-
These require coordinated lead pipe replacement
-
Scottish Water can advise on shared pipe solutions
Summary: Take Action to Eliminate Lead from Your Drinking Water
If you believe your home may still have lead pipes, take the following steps:
-
Check your pipes, especially where the supply enters your home
-
Request a lead test from Scottish Water or an accredited UKAS laboratory
-
Flush your taps each morning or after long periods without use
-
Consult with ScotWater to confirm and replace any lead pipe
The safest and most permanent solution to lead in drinking water is full replacement of all lead pipes and components. Scottish Water may assist with replacing public-side lead pipes once the private section has been addressed.
For a free quote for lead pipe replacement call ScotWater.
What to expect from ScotWater – Your trusted water services expert
Here’s how we’ll get your house feeling like home again.
Call us 24/7, 365, at a time that suits you.
You’ll get a no-obligation quote straight away.
Expert engineers will arrive and carry out the work.
We’ll give you a 25-year guarantee*.
