For many decades, lead pipes were used to pass water from the water corporations to our homes. It was not until some decades ago that the government realised that the use of lead pipes was very harmful. 

The government then decided to make the use of lead pipes illegal. However, there are still several homes and millions of households being supplied water from lead pipes.

What Are Lead Pipes?

A lead service pipe is a pipe made of lead used in the distribution of water from the water main to the water user’s house. They were commonly used at the time because of their flexible and durable properties. However, it soon dawned on everyone that lead pipes were very harmful.

Why Did Lead Pipes Get Banned?

Lead pipes got banned because of their serious health implications. Some of them include:

1. Permanent damage to children’s brains: Lead poisoning usually has a long term effect on the brains of children because their brains are still forming a network of neurons. Neurons use calcium as a transmitter to pass signals. Lead molecules look like calcium molecules, so they can penetrate the brain.
   
   When this happens, the neuron network is permanently damaged and neuron development is impaired. The children, therefore, have lower IQs, low attention span, low impulse control, and poor memory recall. They are also at higher risk of stroke, hypertension, and kidney diseases as they age.
   
   
2.  Lead pipes and cardiovascular diseases: The use of lead pipes is not only dangerous for children but also for adults. It puts adults at risk of dying from cardiovascular illnesses.
   
   
3. Lead poisoning has various side effects like headache, fatigue, memory loss, high blood pressure, and weight loss.
   

Lead Pipes Replacement And Environmental Justice

After lead pipes were banned, there was a need to replace these lead pipes with a better option. The rule for this replacement work was to only replace pipes on public properties while owners of private properties had to pay to have them replaced. 

This partial replacement was considered unfair for low-income households. This means that the effect of using lead pipes will disproportionately affect low-income earners. Therefore, there’s a need for the authorities to bridge the gap and provide safe water for that demography.

How Do I Know If I Have A Lead Pipe?

If you’re uncertain if you have lead pipes or plastic pipes, you should:

• Contact your local area water utility service: This is the first step you should take. They may have a database of properties with lead pipes. This would help you know whether your pipes have been replaced or not.
  
  
• Check your property records for any information on the type of pipe used.
  
  
• Look under your kitchen sink for the pipe used. Lead pipes are grey and soft, there will be a shiny metal below the surface when it is scrapped.
  
  
• Check the pipe connected to your internal stop tap. If it is made from lead, the joint will be swollen.
  

How To Lower Your Exposure To Lead In Your Drinking Water

If you’ve confirmed that your pipes are made of lead or you suspect that there’s lead in your drinking water, you should:

• Drink only cold water. Heating water does not reduce the level of lead in it. Warm or hot water usually has more concentration of lead.

• Run your faucets for a few minutes every day to flush out stagnant water.
  
  
• Clean your faucet screen regularly.
  
  
• Use a trusted water filter for removing lead.
  

How Do I Replace My Lead Pipes?

Now that you know how dangerous the use of lead pipes is, you may want to follow these tips for replacing lead pipes:

• Contact your local area water utility service for a lead replacement scheme. Although the scheme would install new pipes for you, you’re still responsible for all lead pipes inside your property.
  
  
• Find a professional plumber in your area.

• Read all the terms and conditions in the documents provided.
  
  
• Arrange an inspection.
  
  
• Make research on the cost and bargain.
  
  
• Make payment and schedule a replacement service.
  

Conclusion

Lead poisoning is a major public health problem, there’s no known safe level of concentration of lead in the blood. It is strongly advised to replace all lead pipes as soon as you can.