Landlords urged to protect tenants from lead in drinking water

Landlords urged to protect tenants from lead in drinking water

0:02 AM, 16th December 2024, About a month ago 3

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A national accreditation body for plumbers is warning landlords to protect tenants from lead in their drinking water.

Watersafe, the national register of approved installers, says landlords should make sure plumbers only use lead-free solder or fittings that don’t need solder when working on drinking water systems.

Lead solder, a metal alloy traditionally used to join pipes in plumbing systems, contains lead, which can contaminate drinking water.

Using lead solder is illegal and can be dangerous, as it can build up in the body and cause serious health problems.

Ask plumber which type of solder they are using

Despite lead solder being illegal, a survey of plumbers shows a number are still using lead solder in drinking water systems and two-thirds carry it in their bags.

According to the Watersafe survey, most plumbers use solder at least once a week, but only half have lead-free solder in their bags, leading to a risk of lead solder being used accidentally.

Julie Spinks, director of WaterSafe, is encouraging landlords to ask plumbers about the materials they use.

She said: “We’re urging anyone who has work being done on their drinking water plumbing, particularly people in charge of rental properties and those housing young families, to ask their plumber which type of solder they are using to make sure it’s lead-free. Using lead-free solder is the only safe option.”

Marcus Rink, the chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate in England and Wales, adds: “We must all play our part to eliminate all sources of lead, including the sale and use of lead-containing materials from plumbing in our houses to protect our future generations.”

WaterSafe is also calling on plumbers to sign its pledge to go lead-free by only carrying lead-free solder in their toolkits and only using lead-free solder.


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Jill Church

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13:48 PM, 16th December 2024, About a month ago

You would hope the plumber would know which solder to use!
As for checking with the plumber:- landlord not always in attendance to check, and even if we are, how are we to know what type of solder is being used? If they say its lead free we have to take their word.
I believe lead solder is shinier than lead free, but unless both types are present how can we tell? Ask to see the label?
I imagine the plumber would not be pleased to be quizzed either! Can't wait to ask our plumber if he's "signed the pledge"....

Cider Drinker

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16:50 PM, 16th December 2024, About 4 weeks ago

My water suppliers do tests for lead and it doesn’t cost me anything.

Landlords have a duty of care towards their tenants and I replaced the lead service pipes (from stop tap in the road to the stop tap indoors) as a result of the tests.

Paul Essex

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20:47 PM, 16th December 2024, About 4 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 16/12/2024 - 16:50
You were very fortunate, on a house we used to rent out the lead pipes ran under the whole terrace. In reality we are in a hard water area so the pipes are naturally sealed.

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