Lead Free Bristol – limited time lead pipe replacement scheme
For a limited period, we are offering to visit and check whether you have a lead supply pipe, and if we find it is made of lead, replace it at no cost to you.
What is #LeadFreeBristol?
There are a large number of properties in our water supply area, built before the 1970s, that have a lead pipe supply from the water main and into the home.
For a limited period, we are offering to visit and check whether you have a lead supply pipe, and if we find it is made of lead, replace it at no cost to you. Full *T&Cs are below.
Why is it important to get lead pipes replaced?
Lead is considered a health concern, and it is important to minimise exposure to any sources of lead, including in tap water. Drinking tap water that contains small amounts of lead can allow lead to build up in the body and become harmful to health, particularly for pregnant women and young children.
The benefits of the scheme:
- Improved water quality
- Save on costs as we’ll do the work for you. Replacing pipes, on your property, can cost upwards of £1,000
- Upgrading your pipes can reduce leaks, saving on water wasted and money if you have a water meter.
Which pipes are you offering to replace?
The pipe connecting your home to the water main is made up of two parts, the section between the water main and the stop tap in the pavement is normally owned by the water company (us), and the section between the stop tap in the pavement to inside the home is owned by the customer (you).
Diagram: 1. External pipework. 2. Internal stop tap. 3. External stop tap.
Who can take up this offer?
We’re currently working in areas we’ve identified as having high numbers of lead pipes, so you will receive a flyer about the scheme when we are in your area. But we’ll be expanding it to other areas, so feel free to register your interest today, and if you live in the identified areas, we’ll be in touch.
How do I register my interest?
Simply fill out the form below. By registering your interest, you are under no obligation to have the work done. You can make the decision after your home survey, when you understand more about what needs to be done.
If you have any more queries about #LeadFreeBristol email us.
More about #LeadFreeBristol
We will keep you informed of what’s happening, and when throughout the process. But here’s more information about what to expect.
- Register your interest online.
- Pre-survey. Someone will be in touch within a month to arrange for a pipe survey at your property.
- The survey. A survey will be carried out to:
- inspect where your supply pipe and stop tap are located
- check if you share your supply pipes with your neighbours
- confirm your pipework is made from lead
- we may take a water sample to assess for lead concentrations - Pre-installation. If confirmed you do have lead pipes, we will explain how we will install the new supply pipes and be in touch with a date for installation (this will be subject to road traffic management requirements). We will aim to be in contact with you within a month, but demand for the scheme may lead to variable timescales.
-
Contract. Once a date for installation has been agreed a contract will be delivered. This will need to be signed and returned to one of the team before work can begin.
-
The installation. We will install road traffic signs and barriers to make the area safe for work.
- Connecting your new supply pipe. Once installation is completed, we will reconnect your water supply and test everything to ensure functionality.
- Finishing up. If we have had to dig up any part of your driveway or part of your property, we will discuss reinstatement to as it was prior to works starting.
- Follow up sampling. In some cases, following completion we may return to collect water samples to demonstrate that the removal of your lead pipe has reduced the lead risk.
*registering may not necessarily mean that we can carry out the work in this round of the scheme but we will keep you on record for future work.
*Terms & conditions
1. The decision to proceed, or not, with the replacement scheme (internal or external or both) could be for:
a. Withdrawal from the scheme: You (the customer) not wanting to go ahead for whatever reason. This can be at any stage of project but before work commences.
b. Infrastructure challenges including, but not exclusive to:
i. The internal pipe replacement may be deemed too disruptive to internal building or fittings.
ii. The external pipe replacement may be deemed high risk to retaining walls (the structure designed to hold in place a mass of earth, such as the edge of a terrace).
iii. The external pipe replacement may be deemed too high risk to established or protected trees.
iv. The external pipe replacement where a driveway is imprinted concrete or is newly laid whereby the work will have a high impact on the finished surface.
- Register your interest online.
- Pre-survey. Someone will be in touch within a month to arrange for a pipe survey at your property.
- The survey. A survey will be carried out to:
- inspect where your supply pipe and stop tap are located
- check if you share your supply pipes with your neighbours
- confirm your pipework is made from lead
- we may take a water sample to assess for lead concentrations - Pre-installation. If confirmed you do have lead pipes, we will explain how we will install the new supply pipes and be in touch with a date for installation (this will be subject to road traffic management requirements). We will aim to be in contact with you within a month, but demand for the scheme may lead to variable timescales.
-
Contract. Once a date for installation has been agreed a contract will be delivered. This will need to be signed and returned to one of the team before work can begin.
-
The installation. We will install road traffic signs and barriers to make the area safe for work.
- Connecting your new supply pipe. Once installation is completed, we will reconnect your water supply and test everything to ensure functionality.
- Finishing up. If we have had to dig up any part of your driveway or part of your property, we will discuss reinstatement to as it was prior to works starting.
- Follow up sampling. In some cases, following completion we may return to collect water samples to demonstrate that the removal of your lead pipe has reduced the lead risk.
*registering may not necessarily mean that we can carry out the work in this round of the scheme but we will keep you on record for future work.
*Terms & conditions
1. The decision to proceed, or not, with the replacement scheme (internal or external or both) could be for:
a. Withdrawal from the scheme: You (the customer) not wanting to go ahead for whatever reason. This can be at any stage of project but before work commences.
b. Infrastructure challenges including, but not exclusive to:
i. The internal pipe replacement may be deemed too disruptive to internal building or fittings.
ii. The external pipe replacement may be deemed high risk to retaining walls (the structure designed to hold in place a mass of earth, such as the edge of a terrace).
iii. The external pipe replacement may be deemed too high risk to established or protected trees.
iv. The external pipe replacement where a driveway is imprinted concrete or is newly laid whereby the work will have a high impact on the finished surface.
- Register your interest online.
- Pre-survey. Someone will be in touch within a month to arrange for a pipe survey at your property.
- The survey. A survey will be carried out to:
- inspect where your supply pipe and stop tap are located
- check if you share your supply pipes with your neighbours
- confirm your pipework is made from lead
- we may take a water sample to assess for lead concentrations - Pre-installation. If confirmed you do have lead pipes, we will explain how we will install the new supply pipes and be in touch with a date for installation (this will be subject to road traffic management requirements). We will aim to be in contact with you within a month, but demand for the scheme may lead to variable timescales.
-
Contract. Once a date for installation has been agreed a contract will be delivered. This will need to be signed and returned to one of the team before work can begin.
-
The installation. We will install road traffic signs and barriers to make the area safe for work.
- Connecting your new supply pipe. Once installation is completed, we will reconnect your water supply and test everything to ensure functionality.
- Finishing up. If we have had to dig up any part of your driveway or part of your property, we will discuss reinstatement to as it was prior to works starting.
- Follow up sampling. In some cases, following completion we may return to collect water samples to demonstrate that the removal of your lead pipe has reduced the lead risk.
*registering may not necessarily mean that we can carry out the work in this round of the scheme but we will keep you on record for future work.
*Terms & conditions
1. The decision to proceed, or not, with the replacement scheme (internal or external or both) could be for:
a. Withdrawal from the scheme: You (the customer) not wanting to go ahead for whatever reason. This can be at any stage of project but before work commences.
b. Infrastructure challenges including, but not exclusive to:
i. The internal pipe replacement may be deemed too disruptive to internal building or fittings.
ii. The external pipe replacement may be deemed high risk to retaining walls (the structure designed to hold in place a mass of earth, such as the edge of a terrace).
iii. The external pipe replacement may be deemed too high risk to established or protected trees.
iv. The external pipe replacement where a driveway is imprinted concrete or is newly laid whereby the work will have a high impact on the finished surface.