Lead replacement scheme
The lead replacement scheme can help you remove lead pipework from your water supply.
If your property was built before 1970, it may have lead pipes. Our Lead Replacement Scheme can help you upgrade to modern plumbing and ensure the safety of your drinking water.
About the scheme
Who owns the pipes
*This is a simple example of a single and shared supply, your pipework may be different.
For further information, visit our pipe responsibility page.
The lead replacement process
Firstly, check that you have lead pipes
If you can, work out whether you are on a single or a shared supply. Contact us if you need any help with this.
Tips for working out if you are on a shared supply - A shared supply - also often called a joint supply - is where a group of homes connect to our network at the same point. This means all properties share responsibility for repair and maintenance of the pipework.
You can find out if you're on a shared supply by checking how many external stop taps are outside your home. External stop taps or boundary boxes are usually found in the pavement at the property. If there is an external stop tap outside every home on the street, then each home will have its own supply.
If there's only one, you are likely to be on a shared supply with your neighbours.
If you have a shared supply, it is your responsibility to inform your neighbours of your intended work. Depending on the arrangements of the pipework, you may need to access your neighbour’s property to complete the work. Please talk to us if you have any queries regarding the ongoing ownership of the remaining pipework.
When you are ready to apply, either fill in the form on this page, or contact our virtual field team on the details below
We will inspect to confirm your pipes are lead. This can be done virtually, via a video call, or we can send someone to inspect if this suits you better.
Once we have confirmed your pipes are lead, we will email you to confirm your acceptance onto the lead replacement scheme, and send you the guidance documents that tell you the standards that your work needs to be completed to.
You will need to share these with the contractor you choose to ensure the pipework is installed to the right standards to qualify for a free connection.
We would always recommend getting at least three quotes before agreeing to any work, to help find a price that suits your budget.
If you are on a shared supply you must use a plumber who is on this approved list WaterSafe Plumbers. They will need to supply us with a certificate for the completed work. If you are on a single supply, you can use any plumber you choose.
Arrange for your works to be completed by your chosen contractor in line with the guidance that we have sent to you.
It is important you do not backfill or enclose your new pipework until after step 4, or disconnect your water supply from our network until step 6
When your work is completed, contact us on on 0800 917 2477 to arrange for an inspection
If you have used Water Safe Plumber, when you send us the certificate of their works, we will move your application onto step 5
For work completed by any other plumber, we will inspect the work completed to ensure it has met the standards as described in the guidance that we sent to you. We can do this virtually (via video call) or arrange for someone to attend if needed.
If your pipework passes the inspection, we will email you to confirm this and move your application to step 5.
If more work is needed, we will email you to confirm this too.
Our scheduling teams will liaise with your local authority for the necessary permits to allow us to do the work, and let you know the planned date.
It can take up to 16 weeks to complete the works, depending on the type of permit required (for example if a road closure is needed) or any existing street furniture (trees, lamp posts etc) that may impede our work.
Our teams will complete your new connection to our network.
If you are on a single supply you will need your plumber to be onsite to connect your new pipe inside the property. You will be without water for a short period on this day.
If you are on a shared supply, you will need to arrange for your plumber to attend after our work is finished to complete the disconnection from the shared pipework and connect your new pipe.
It may take up to 3 working days for us to fill any holes, lay new tarmac and remove any barriers after we completed the pipework connection.
Eligibility and exclusions
To qualify for a free connection under this scheme, please ensure none of the following exclusions apply:
If at any point Severn Trent discover that the information supplied is incorrect and one of the above exclusions applies, the scheme may not be applicable to you and/or additional work may be required. If, after work begins, we find that a property is being, or has been, substantially altered from its original form and we have not been made aware of this (e.g. a large house being changed into multiple dwellings), you may incur subsequent costs as a result. Should this happen, we would advise you of any accrued costs to date and to stop any further work before more costs are accumulated and further work is required.
For information, please read our new connection cost guidance.
Unsure if you have lead pipes?
Watch this video on how to find if you have lead pipes in your household.
Submitting your application
Choose one of the following methods:
Lead safety information
Homes built before 1970 may have lead pipes, which can potentially release lead into your drinking water. While not legally required, replacing these pipes is crucial for protecting your family's health. Lead exposure over time can be harmful. We're committed to ensuring everyone in our region has access to safe, modern pipes.
Click here to watch this video on how to find if you have lead pipes in your household.
Find where the mains water pipe enters your property (it’s usually under your kitchen sink, in the downstairs toilet or under the stairs).
If possible, wear a face mask and scrape the pipe gently with a coin.
If you see a shiny, silver[1]coloured metal underneath you’ll know it’s a lead pipe
Lead can leach into your drinking water, and long-term exposure can pose health risks. Replacing your lead pipes is the most effective way to eliminate this risk and ensure your water is safe.
While replacing your pipes is the only way to completely eliminate lead, here are some steps you can take to minimize potential exposure:
Flush Your Taps: In the morning, run the cold water tap in your kitchen for a few minutes to flush out any water that has been sitting in the pipes overnight. This water can be used for plants.
Flush the Toilet: Flushing the toilet also clears water that has been standing in the pipes.
Avoid Disturbing Pipes: Try not to knock or disturb lead pipes, as this can increase the amount of lead in your water.