Lead water pipes in older Scottish homes

If your home was built before 1970, there's a higher chance some of the water pipes are lead, and the only sure fix is to replace them. For private landlords it isn't optional: the Repairing Standard guidance says there should be no lead pipes, tanks or fittings between the boundary stopcock and the kitchen tap.

We don't replace pipes, and plumbing isn't one of the checks we pass on. This page explains the rules and points you to the right people. Scottish Water and the Repairing Standard guidance both recommend a WaterSafe approved plumber for the work.

How to tell if you have lead pipes

Start with the age of the building. Scottish Water says lead service pipes were phased out in the 1960s and became illegal in 1969, so a house built after 1970 is unlikely to have a lead pipe from the street. It can still have lead inside, in older fittings or a repair done with old stock.

Then look. The pipe usually comes up through the floor under the kitchen sink, near the stopcock. The Drinking Water Quality Regulator describes lead pipe like this:

• dull grey in colour
• easily scratched, showing shiny silver metal underneath
• slight bulges where the joints are

Copper is the colour of a penny, and plastic is obvious. If you scratch the pipe gently with a coin and it shines silver, that's a strong sign. Not finding lead isn't proof there's none, though. The guidance points out that pipes hidden from view, lead solder on joints and old lead tanks can all put lead in the water.

Who owns which bit of pipe

There are three sections between the water main and your tap:

When you replace all the lead on your side, ask Scottish Water to check its part. The Repairing Standard guidance says that if the communication pipe is lead, Scottish Water has an obligation to replace it, and DWQR says it does this free of charge. In a tenement, the supply pipe may be shared with the other flats, which is why the guidance allows an exception where a landlord can't get the other owners' consent.

What landlords need to do

1. Check the visible pipework in the property. A WaterSafe approved plumber can help if you're not sure what you're looking at.
2. If you find lead, replace it. That covers pipes, lead-lined tanks and fittings, from the boundary stopcock to the kitchen tap.
3. If you're still unsure, or you know there's a risk, tell your tenants, give them advice on cutting their exposure (below), and have a water sample taken. In a home on the public supply, Scottish Water samples the first tap fed directly from the main, which for most homes is the kitchen tap.
4. After replacing lead, have the water sampled again to confirm it's clear.

Scottish Water's landlord guidance says this has applied to all privately rented properties in Scotland since March 2024. A tenant whose landlord doesn't meet the Repairing Standard can apply to the tribunal, and our tenants' page explains how that works.

Testing the water

You can contact Scottish Water and ask it to take a sample from your property. Where the Repairing Standard requires testing, it's Scottish Water that samples. The legal limit for lead in drinking water in Scotland is 10 micrograms per litre, and has been since December 2013. The guidance also notes the World Health Organization's view that there's no safe level of lead in drinking water, so a pass on the test isn't a reason to leave lead pipes in place.

We couldn't find an official page that says whether Scottish Water charges for the sample, so ask when you get in touch.

Cutting exposure until the pipes are replaced

DWQR says children, babies and pregnant women are most at risk. Until the lead is gone, Scottish Water advises:

• Use only the cold kitchen tap for drinking and cooking, because hot water dissolves more lead.
• Never make up baby formula with water from the hot tap.
• If the water has been standing, such as overnight, run the tap until it feels colder before drinking, cooking or brushing teeth.
• Don't rely on boiling. It won't remove lead.

Paying for replacement

We haven't found a reliable published price for replacing lead pipework, so we don't give one; it depends on the length of pipe and how much of the house needs replumbing. DWQR says some councils may be able to offer a small grant through their scheme of assistance, though funding is limited and varies by council. Your council's private housing team will know what's available.

The other checks on an older property

A house old enough to have lead pipes often needs attention elsewhere too. The hot and cold water system needs a legionella risk assessment, reviewed again if the system changes, and the wiring needs an EICR at least every 5 years. Our landlord certificates checklist covers everything else. If you need any of those checks, the form below passes each one to a local specialist.