Lead in water slashed in $2 billion move to protect kids

Lead, which is terrible for adults and worse for kids, is finally about to be reduced in tap water we drink, in a move said to be worth $2 billion.

Building authorities have recommended more than $2 billion worth of household taps and other plumbing products be replaced to reduce lead poisoning risks, particularly for infants.

They propose slashing the maximum allowable level of lead in brass fittings from as much as 6 per cent to 0.25 per cent — the limit already adopted by countries such as the US and Canada.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the change will be included in a draft version of the next National Construction Code, due to be released next month.

That draft is being prepared by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), which involves all levels of government.

The ABCB estimates the cost of gradually replacing taps, mixers, water dispensers and valves with more expensive low-lead fittings will be about $2.1 billion over 10 years.

Professor Mark Taylor of Sydney helped trigger the move to low lead. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

An ABCB consultation document acknowledges the bill is “very large” but argues the upside from reducing exposure would be more than $5 billion across the same period, meaning there is a net benefit of $3 billion.

It could take 20 to 30 years for all homes to switch over, so the full cost and benefits could be double these amounts.

Lead is toxic and it leaches from brass fittings into water after long periods of contact.

It can damage cardiovascular, renal and reproductive functions. However, the most serious effect is on the brains of bottle-fed babies if they are consuming tap water that contains too much lead. The lifelong impact on their cognitive functioning can be severe.

The proposal to reduce lead in plumbing products comes three years after health officials advised householders to flush taps for 30 seconds in the morning before using them for drinking or cooking.

The ABCB consultation document notes that testing in NSW has found 8 per cent of “first draw drinking samples” contain lead levels above the legal limit.

“If this percentage was representative of the problem nationally, approximately 800,000 homes would be impacted,” the ABCB said.

The official advice on drinking from taps. Source: News Corp Australia

The Plumbing Products Industry Group, which represents the sector, supports the change.

“We believe that’s the way to go,” said PPI executive director Stuart Henry. “It certainly eliminates lead leaching into the water supply.”

While the ABCB has proposed a three-year phase out, PPI has asked that industry be given five years to make the transition.

Homeowners will not be forced to rip out taps and other plumbing products.

Rather, whenever they choose to renew their fixtures, low-lead will be the only option once the phase out is complete.

Owners will face an estimated 20 per cent cost increase as manufacturers seek to recoup the cost of greater machining time and wear, higher material costs and lower batch sizes.

“In general, prices would be expected to increase as a result of compliance with lower lead levels,” the ABCB said.

Macquarie University environmental science professor Mark Taylor, who triggered the push towards low lead, yesterday told The Telegraph that it was “a great thing that the industry actually wants better regulation.

“Hats off to all the parties involved in recognising that we have a problem and doing something about it.”

Professor Taylor welcomes the change, but says it’s been slow to come. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

However, both Prof Taylor and PPI’s Mr Henry said the process for reaching a decision had been too slow.

Prof Taylor said homeowners could minimise their lead exposure without pulling out all the plumbing in their property.

“I would say just replace the tap in the kitchen,” he said. “That’s the most important.”

What appears to be the least expensive lead-free stainless steel kitchen tap on the market, the Mondella WELS Resonance, costs about $150.

For $265 it is possible to get a mixer with an “isolated waterway”, which means the water does not come in contact with the material the tap is made of.

Master Plumbers Association president Tom Martin said it also supported the move to low-lead products.

Mr Martin estimated the cost of sourcing and installing a low- or no-lead kitchen tap at about $450.

Originally published as Lead in water slashed in $2 billion move to protect kids