Regulation 24 Contamination from pipes
Where there is a risk (“the prescribed risk”) that water supplied by a water authority would, for the reason mentioned in paragraph (2) below, cease to comply with the requirements of Part II of these Regulations after leaving the authority’s pipes, a water authority shall, subject to paragraphs (4) and (5)—
treat the water in such a way as will, in its opinion, eliminate the prescribed risk or reduce it to a minimum; and
where the risk relates to lead, remove its part of any pipe to which this sub-paragraph applies when such part of the remainder of that pipe as connects directly to a tap used for the supply of drinking water is removed.
The reason referred to in paragraph (1) is the presence in the water of a concentration of copper, lead or zinc which exceeds the prescribed concentration and which is attributable to the fact that—
copper or lead is the major component; or
zinc is a component,
of such a pipe as is mentioned in section 76A(3)(a) of the Act.
Paragraph (1)(b) applies to a lead pipe which is subject to water pressure from a main or would be so subject but for the closing of some valve and which belongs, as to part, to a water authority and, as to the remainder, to the owner of any premises to which the water authority supplies water for domestic purposes.
Paragraph (1) shall not require a water authority to treat water —
if the treatment is unlikely, in its opinion, to achieve a significant reduction in the concentration of copper, lead or zinc, as the case may be; or
in any water supply zone where the prescribed risk relates only to water supplied in an insignificant part of the zone; or
if treatment is not reasonably practicable.
Paragraph (1) shall not require a water authority to remove a pipe unless it has received a request in writing to do so from the owner of the premises in question.