Water is essential to a healthy life, and in Australia, our drinking water should ideally always be safe to drink. Unfortunately, studies have shown that this is not the case. Recent studies carried out by universities in New South Wales have indicated that Australian drinking water contains heavy metals, including lead, and this can have a significant impact on public health. This is particularly worrisome for infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. 

How Does Lead Enter Drinking Water?

Due to its soft, malleable and corrosive-resistant properties, lead has often been used in the manufacture of plumbing products such as pipes, brass fittings, valves, and taps. Lead-based solder has also been used on old copper pipes in older homes, particularly in those built before the 1990s. These fittings have been widely used in drinking water systems in homes and offices for decades. The lead in the plumbing can dissolve in the drinking water, especially when the water is in contact with these fittings for an extended period of time. Tiny particles would enter the water supply and then enter your body when you drink. 

What Are the Effects of Lead in Drinking Water?

According to the World Health Organisation, there is no safe level of exposure to lead. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines differ slightly, stating that 0.01mg per litre of lead consumption is acceptable, which has been lowered from a previous recommendation of 0.05 mg per litre. Lead can have serious consequences on the human body, as it builds up and accumulates in the brain, kidney, liver, and bones. The effects of lead in the body can differ widely, with people experiencing heart and kidney diseases, cancer, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. Children are more vulnerable to the effects because their brains and nervous systems are still developing, and they absorb four to five times the amount of lead as adults. Lead exposure in children can lead to irreversible neurological and behavioural problems, including learning difficulties, developmental issues, and a low IQ. Babies who drink formula made with water containing lead can be at a higher risk of developing neurological issues because of the relatively large volume of water they drink when compared to their body size. 

What Is Being Done to Reduce the Amount of Lead in Drinking Water?

The installation of plumbing fittings in Australia is regulated by the various state and territory plumbing regulatory agencies. They have been working together to address the issue of lead leaching into drinking water through the Australian Building Codes Board. Research has been conducted to determine the extent that plumbing products contribute to lead levels in drinking water over the health-related limits imposed by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. New laws coming into effect from 1 May 2026, state that copper alloy plumbing fittings containing more than 0.25% lead will no longer be permitted to be installed in a plumbing system used to provide drinking water. In the meantime, plumbers are continuing to install existing products. If you’re concerned about your Brisbane home, contact a professional plumbing service who will be able to conduct tests which will determine if any of your plumbing fittings contain a high amount of lead.