Lead Water Testing

New Requirement for Lead Water Testing in Private Rented Properties – October 2023

Amendments to the Repairing Standard legislation in Scotland have introduced a new requirement for lead water testing in private rented properties.

Changes to the Repairing Standard
As of March 1, 2024, landlords must ensure that the water supply in their private rented properties is free from lead, introducing additional testing requirements for some.

Lead water Testing Requirements for Private Rented Properties
The Scottish Association of Landlords has issued the following guidance for landlords:

1. Properties Built Before 1970: Scottish Water advises that properties built before 1970 may have lead pipework. If a landlord is unsure whether there are lead pipes or suspects there may be, tenants must be informed, and water samples should be taken for laboratory analysis. This is the only way to confirm if the water is lead-free.

2. Testing at Water Outlets: Scottish Government guidelines recommend testing water at all outlets where water may be consumed, from the boundary stopcock to the kitchen tap. In most properties, only the kitchen tap would require testing, unless other outlets (e.g., baths, basins, utility rooms) are located between the boundary stopcock and the kitchen tap.

3. Lead Content Above 10 Micrograms/Litre: If the test reveals a lead content of 10 micrograms per litre or more, this indicates the presence of lead in the plumbing. In such cases, tenants must be informed immediately. Short-term advice for tenants may include avoiding water that has been standing in pipes for long periods (e.g., overnight or when the property has been unoccupied for hours) and running the water for a few minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.

4. Scottish Water’s Responsibility: For properties connected to the public water supply, Scottish Water will investigate and replace any lead sections in their part of the service pipe (from the water main to the boundary stop valve) free of charge.

5. Landlord’s Responsibility: Landlords are responsible for identifying and removing any lead pipes within the property that are not Scottish Water’s responsibility. After any lead pipes are replaced, the water should be re-tested to ensure the lead content is below 10 micrograms per litre.

Protect Your Family from Harmful Lead Exposure in Drinking Water

Lead can accumulate in the body over time, making it essential to check if your home has lead water pipes. Lead exposure, particularly from drinking water, can be harmful, especially for unborn babies and young children.

WaterSafe-approved plumber Shaun explains how to inspect your pipes and the steps you can take to ensure the safety of your family.

Why Lead in Water is a Concern

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from:

• Water supply pipes
• Domestic plumbing
• Brass fittings (in both hard and soft water areas)

Homes built before the 1970s, especially those with private water supplies (e.g., boreholes), are particularly at risk. The pH of water can increase the corrosion of lead pipes, further raising lead contamination levels.

Lead Water Testing – Accurate and Reliable Results

To ensure safe drinking water, we recommend targeted lead testing. Our lead water test provides a detailed analysis of lead contaminants in your drinking water. We use a highly sensitive method called ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), considered the gold standard for water analysis, rather than less reliable test strips.

Our test includes:

• Lead concentration measured in parts per billion (ppb)
• Physical properties like pH (acidity), total dissolved solids, and water hardness

You will receive a complete report with tracked Royal Mail delivery both ways.

✔ Simple sample collection

✔ Reliable results using advanced techniques

✔ Detailed report with lead concentration and water properties

Lead Pipes and Your Property

Lead service pipes were phased out in the 1960s and became illegal in 1969. If your property was built after 1970, it’s unlikely to have lead communication pipes. However, you may still have internal lead pipes or fittings.

If your property was built after 1970 and you’re concerned about lead pipes:

• We recommend replacing any internal lead pipes or fittings.
• After the replacement, we can investigate and, if needed, replace any lead communication pipes from the external stopcock to the main in the street.

Investigating Lead in Your Property’s Water

We conduct desktop investigations to determine if your property or similar ones in the area have previously had lead pipe concerns. We may inform you if we believe you do not have lead communication pipes based on:

• The construction date of your property and water mains (after 1970)
• Records indicating compliant lead samples were previously taken
• Previous work by Scottish Water addressing lead-related concerns

Keep Lead Levels Low

Lead exposure can be harmful to health, and lead levels in drinking water should be minimized as much as possible. Regular testing and proactive pipe replacement are essential steps in ensuring your water is safe.