Search for local
Approved Contractors and other services
Pledge to go lead freeWe launched our campaign after a survey of UK plumbers showed a number still use lead solder on water systems and two-thirds carry it in their bags.
This is despite the use of lead-solder in drinking water systems being illegal for more than 35 years. Restrictions on the sale of lead solder were also put in place by the Health and Safety Executive in 2018, outlawing the sale of lead solder to non-professionals.
Lead can dissolve in drinking water and can cause health issues if it builds up in the body. Babies and young children are most at risk as it can affect their development.
Always using lead-free solder is the only safe option as there’s no safe limit of lead.
Our survey showed most installers use solder at least once a week, but only half have lead-free solder in their bags, leading to a risk of lead solder being used accidently.
We’re urging installers to make the simple swap to avoid this possibility and to protect their customers’ health.
We know most installers have the best interests of their customers at heart and will back us in this drive to ditch lead solder from plumbing for good.
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Byelaws in Scotland prohibits the use of lead solder in plumbing systems which are used to supply water for cooking, drinking and bathing. The ban first came into force in 1987.
Lead can build up in the body and it is recommended that exposure to lead is minimised as far as possible. Those at particular risk are infants (including unborn babies) and children because lead can have an adverse impact on mental development. Lead may also be a factor in behavioural problems. In adults it may impair kidney, heart and circulatory health. Source: (Drinking Water Inspectorate)
Lead-free solder alternatives can easily be used on all plumbing and heating works. There are also alternatives fittings that don’t use any solder such as press fittings.
In 2018, restrictions on the sale of lead, both on its own and in a mixture (including in solder products), came into force. The classification of lead as a Category 1A reproductive toxicant meant lead solder could no longer be supplied to the public where the individual concentration is equal to or greater than 0.03% for mixtures containing lead metal powder (such as solder paste), and 0.3% for mixtures containing lead in massive form (such as solder wire, bar solder). This regulation under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of chemicals) is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland.
We’re campaigning to end the use of lead solder in plumbing and are urging everyone in charge of a property to protect the drinking water in their building by making sure only lead-free solder is used by installers. A survey of plumbers has shown a number still use lead solder to join pipes and…
WaterSafe Approved Contractors' Scheme Operators
We use cookies to give you the best possible experience with WaterSafe. Some are essential to provide accurate emergency search results and ensure the website is secure. We also use cookies to help us understand how people use the site and to make improvements. Click "Accept All" to enable recommended settings or click "Manage cookies" to adjust your settings. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.