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At Anglian Water, we’re always looking for ways to help protect you and your water.
That’s why we’ve been working to identify areas with lead pipes that need upgrading. This is part of our commitment to providing safe, clean drinking water for everyone.
We’re currently working across streets in Norwich. Find out if your street is one of them by popping your postcode into our website. That's the same place to go if you want updates during our work.
Lead pipework was commonly used up until 1970 and there are still lead pipes underground, connecting some homes to the water mains.
Lead can be harmful to health, especially for children below the age of ten and people who are pregnant. Flushing your tap for 2 minutes before using any water will reduce the levels of lead in your drinking water, however the best way to make sure lead is removed is to replace any lead pipes and solder at your home.
The streets that are part of our pipe replacement scheme are at most risk of lead in their drinking water based on our sample results.
If you want more information about lead in drinking water, or how to check for lead pipes, please visit our dedicated lead advice page.
If you have any concerns around lead, please call our Lead Advice Line on 03450 703 445 where you can also book a free lead test.
FAQs
Why are we replacing our lead pipes?
The replacement scheme is part of a wider project we’re working on to replace old lead water pipes in the road and footpath throughout Norwich. These pipes are called ‘communication pipes’, and they’re our responsibility to maintain. Swapping them for modern materials helps to reduce lead in drinking water.
Why should I replace my lead pipes?
We always recommend replacing any lead pipework as it’s the only way to completely remove lead from your drinking water.
The part of the pipe that runs between the highway boundary and into your home belongs to you. If you’re thinking about replacing it with lead-free pipe, we’re happy to offer advice to help you understand your options.
How do I know if I have lead pipes?
You can check if your home has lead pipework by checking for dark grey or black pipes, swollen joints, or shiny silver strips that appear when gently scraped with a coin. Make sure you run your tap for two minutes and wash your hands thoroughly after touching any suspected lead pipework. If you’re unsure if your pipes are lead, you can call our advice line on 0345 070 3445 to book a free lead test or use our online form.
Who is responsible for which pipes?
The communication pipes that run from the water main to the highway boundary are our responsibility to look after and upgrade. The part of the pipe that runs between the highway boundary and into your home belongs to you.
The diagram further down the page shows pipe responsibility more clearly.
Does the hard water in our area stop lead getting into the water?
No - it doesn’t stop lead getting into the water completely. Hard water causes scale to build up on the inside of lead pipes, reducing how much lead your drinking water is in contact with. But the best way to remove the risk of lead getting into water is to replace any lead pipework with new pipes made of modern materials.
Pipework responsibility
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