The repairing standard requires Landlords to ensure that from 1 March 2024 the water supply in their private rented property is free of lead pipes, lead lined storage tanks and fittings from the boundary stopcock to the kitchen tap. This will mean additional testing requirements for some Landlords. Scottish Water explain that properties built prior to 1970 could have lead pipe work. Therefore if your property is older than 1970 construction or around this date we would recommend having Lead Testing carried out. Although lead piping and tanks are only likely to be present in older buildings prior to 1970, some plumbers were still using lead solder until relatively recently. To combat this, it was a requirement from around 2000, to a couple of years ago, for all new build properties in Edinburgh to be tested to prove the absence of lead in the water supply as part of the Habitation Certificate, therefore properties from this period wouldn’t need testing. Other councils may have a slightly different approach to the issue of lead solder, so new build properties from this period outside of Edinburgh may not have already had Lead Testing in a similar way. Please check with your local council for further clarification on their requirement on newer properties. If a Landlord is uncertain whether there are lead pipes, or are aware of a risk, tenants must be informed and water samples must be taken for laboratory analysis as this is the only way to properly test whether the water is lead free.
We can attend your rental property taking the sample of your drinking water using our lab approved sample bottles from £72+Vat then arrange for the Laboratory to carry out a suitable lead in water analysis for you. Once this has been done and the results are available a Lead Testing certificate of analysis will be issued stating the test results. Lead Testing results need to be under 3 micrograms per litre to be considered a pass.
If lead is present above the acceptable levels in your Lead Testing sample (at or above 3 micrograms per litre) then the Landlord would be responsible for locating and removing any lead pipes within the rental property. Scottish Water would investigate any part of their water supply. Short-term precautionary advice to tenants should also be given such as not drinking water that has been standing in pipes for long periods and drawing off water to clear any water which has been standing in the pipes before using it for drinking or cooking. Once the lead pipework has been replaced, Lead Water Testing needs to be carried out again to ensure levels are below 3 micrograms per litre.
If you require Lead Water Testing in Edinburgh or Lothians for your rental property get in touch with Lothian PAT Testing. https://www.lothianpattesting.co.uk/contact
Please find this useful Scottish Government link below regarding the repairing standard. The sections relevant to lead are D.18-D.27
https://www.gov.scot/publications/repairing-standard-statutory-guidance-private-landlords/pages/14/.
Lead Service Pipes
If a sample result suggests that there is any lead in your drinking water this is likely to be due to the service pipe to your property or your internal pipework. The service pipe carries water from the water main in your street direct to your property and is made up of two parts – the communication pipe and the supply pipe. Scottish Water is responsible for the water main in your street and the communication pipe up to, and including, the stopcock, which is normally located at the boundary of your property. The property owner is then responsible for the supply pipe from the stopcock into the property and all of the internal plumbing
Lead Tanks
Some older properties, including tenements, may still have a lead-lined water storage tank. Where the drinking water tap in the kitchen is supplied from a household storage tank, Scottish Water advises that the kitchen plumbing is changed to connect this tap direct from the supply pipe. This is particularly important if there is a lead-lined tank, because lead may enter the water from this tank.
Lead Soldered Joints
Lead may also enter your water supply through soldered joints in household copper pipework. Although lead solder for these types of joints was prohibited in 1987, there is evidence that lead solder is still sometimes used illegally. Scottish Water recommends that you always use a licensed plumber.
Is Lead In Water Harmful ?
Exposure to significant quantities of lead can be harmful to health especially for unborn babies and young children. For this reason it is important that lead levels in drinking water are kept down to the lowest levels, for everyone. Therefore carrying out Lead Testing is essential to minimising this risk.
Symptoms Of Lead Poisoning
Exposure to lead can be harmful especially to unborn babies and young children. Children absorb more lead than adults due to their growing bones and other organs which lead can become deposited in.
The signs and symptoms in young children can include:
irritability and fatigue
loss of appetite and weight loss
abdominal pain
vomiting
developmental delay and learning difficulties
Although children are at increased risk of the effects of lead poisoning, exposure via drinking contaminated water can also result in illness in adults. Even if you are experiencing these symptoms, it does not always mean you have lead poisoning.
Symptoms in adults can include:
abdominal pain
constipation
joint and muscle pain
pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
fatigue
memory loss
Information on the health effects of exposure to lead can be found on the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/lead-poisoning
Disclaimer: Only opinions based upon our own research. This information has been provided for anyone who is interested in this subject however not intended to replace proper analysis. We cannot accept responsibility or liability of any kind which may result from the use of this information.