Lead Exposure and Children’s Neurodevelopment: What the Evidence Shows
Lead exposure in children rarely announces itself. There is usually no illness to observe, no…
Many properties in Croydon still receive their water supply through older pipework that has never been fully upgraded. Even where internal plumbing appears modern, lead pipework can remain within the system, hidden from view and still supplying the property.
In Croydon, this is a common scenario: internal pipework may have been replaced over time, while the original lead water supply pipe remains connected to the water main. As a result, the property can still be supplied through older lead pipework, with no visible indication inside the home.
At London & Surrey Water Services, we understand the importance of safe, clean drinking water in your home or business across London & Surrey.
From your initial phone call, we provide clear advice on lead pipe replacement in Croydon, guiding you from first contact through to completion.
If you are a homeowner, landlord, or tenant living in a Croydon property built before the 1970s, there is a strong likelihood that lead pipes may still form part of the plumbing system. With growing awareness and tightening standards around lead exposure, now is the right time to take proactive action.
As approved plumbers, we specialise in lead pipe replacement in Croydon and full lead pipe renewals, including customer-side water main replacement and water supply pipe repairs where required. Our pipe replacement work complies with current industry standards and water regulations. We ensure that your water supply is not only Lead-Free but also complies with the current water supply regulations, safeguarding your health and well-being.
Our team is fully qualified, highly skilled, and brings extensive experience to every project across Croydon, equipped to handle the replacement process from start to finish. We work closely with Thames Water’s Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme to ensure a smooth pipe replacement process. Our team will replace your lead pipework, ensuring that your water supply pipe meets the latest standards from the property boundary to your home’s internal stop valve.
Lead is a potent neurotoxin, meaning it directly affects the nervous system. It is especially harmful to children and pregnant women, causing irreversible damage even at very low exposure levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made it clear: there is no safe level of lead exposure. Even trace amounts can result in significant and long-lasting health issues, including:
Regulations concerning lead levels in drinking water are becoming stricter. The lead concentration threshold in England and Wales is 10 micrograms per litre, but the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has signalled that this limit will likely be reduced to 5 micrograms per litre or lower, in line with the European Drinking Water Directive.
Water companies are now working towards a much stricter target, driving expanded lead-pipe replacement programmes and emphasising that any lead exposure should be reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
We are always happy to provide advice and a free estimate without obligation
Take advantage of our limited-time offer and save 10% on all lead pipe replacement works. This discount applies to full supply-pipe renewals carried out by our approved moling contractors.
Not sure whether your property has lead pipes or elevated lead levels in your water? We offer lead content testing to help you assess your risk before committing to replacement works.
Request a free assessment and we’ll identify your pipework and advise on the next steps.
South London’s water supply network includes some of the oldest pipework in London, much of it laid during the rapid railway-driven suburban expansion of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Lead was the material of choice for service connections until it was banned for new installations in 1970, leaving a significant proportion of Croydon properties still supplied through legacy lead service pipes.
Croydon was an old Surrey market town on the coaching road between London and Brighton, with a market that has traded since 1276. The railways transformed it: East and West Croydon stations opened in 1839 and 1841, turning the town into one of London’s busiest commuter hubs.
Croydon’s population grew more than twentyfold across the nineteenth century, filling the borough with Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing and, later, sprawling interwar estates. That housing was connected to the mains using lead as standard, and a significant proportion remains in the ground today.
Croydon is served by Thames Water and SES Water. Thames Water has approximately 1.14 million lead communication pipes across its network, with a further 96,000 across the SES Water service area.
Across the six South London boroughs, an estimated 495,000 homes, roughly 70% of the sub-region’s housing stock, were built before 1970, when lead pipework was still widely used. In Croydon, an estimated 69.7% of homes (approximately 113,265 properties) were built before 1970, the largest count of older housing in South London.
Where original lead pipework remains, it can still release lead into drinking water, particularly after water has stood in the pipe for several hours. While modern corrosion-control treatment substantially reduces lead release, the only permanent solution is to remove lead pipework from the drinking water supply altogether. Thames Water and SES Water recognise that lead in drinking water originates from legacy lead pipes rather than water treatment works, and that complete replacement is the long-term solution to eliminating the risk.
The Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme is designed to help homeowners and landlords replace their lead service pipes. Under this lead replacement scheme, Thames Water will replace the portion of the lead piping known as the communication pipe (comms pipe) that runs from the water main to the property boundary free of charge
Customer Responsibility: You are responsible for the supply pipe running from the outside stop valve to the internal stop tap inside your property, including any internal plumbing up to the cold kitchen tap.
Thames Water’s Responsibility: Thames Water maintains the communication pipe, which connects the water main to your outside stop tap.
Property owners are responsible for replacing the pipes from the boundary to their property at their own cost. This is where our services as approved plumbers come in.
Our team will inspect your existing water supply to identify any lead pipework and determine the most direct, least disruptive, and cost-effective route for installing your new supply pipe. This includes assessing pipe length, access, and the presence of underground utilities such as gas pipes and electric cables that may affect the installation. This may include pipe trace work or a utility survey where required. During this visit, we will also confirm your eligibility for the Thames Water, Affinity Water, or SES Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme and explain the process in full.
Once we have completed the survey, we will help you submit the online application required by your water company's Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme. This ensures your water supplier can review the proposal to replace their section of the lead pipe (the communication pipe).
We carry out full water pipe installation using modern MDPE pipe, designed for durability, flexibility, and long-term performance. Once your application has been submitted, we schedule a date to carry out the supply pipe replacement. Using specialist impact moling equipment, our moling contractors install new pipes with trenchless methods to minimise surface disruption and allow minimal digging, even in challenging ground conditions. Where open trench or traditional excavation is required, all excavations are backfilled and reinstated to their original condition, with reinstatement costs clearly outlined and agreed in advance.
Upon completion of the supply pipe replacement, we will issue a certificate of work completed confirming compliance. This document will detail the tasks performed and confirm that your newly installed water supply pipe complies with current water supply regulations.
Once your certificate has been reviewed, an engineer from your water supplier will attend to inspect the communication pipe. If their pipe is made of lead, it will be marked for replacement and a task raised for their planning team to arrange permits, traffic management, and scheduling.
When permits and traffic management have been approved, your water supplier will replace the communication pipe. Most replacements are completed within 6–8 weeks, although timings may vary depending on location, access requirements, and local authority approvals.
After your water supplier completes the replacement of their section of pipe, we return to make the final connection between your new supply pipe and your internal plumbing. We ensure everything is working correctly and that your property receives a clean, reliable, lead-free water supply with minimal interruption.
We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
As water regulations approved plumbers and supply pipe contractors with over two decades of experience in lead pipe replacement and customer-side supply work.
Â
All installations meet the current Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, and every job includes a Certificate of Works Completed for your water supplier.
Â
We provide a 15-year guarantee on all full supply pipe replacements, giving you long-term protection and complete confidence in the quality of our workmanship.
Â
We can replace lead supply pipes using impact moling, a trenchless method that allows new pipework to be installed underground with minimal excavation and disruption.
Watch our short video to see how the process works.
We offer a full range of internal plumbing and supply pipe services including new installations, repair and replacement
Trusted by homeowners across London for reliable, professional lead pipe replacement, leak detection and repair and internal plumbing services.
We engaged with Alan to have our water main and internal piping replaced as they were made of lead. Alan came and gave us a comprehensive explanation of the work required and how to engage with Thames Water under their lead replacement scheme. He was the only person we could find that was up to handling both external moling and the internal works. Alan spent 2 days in our home completing the work, was polite and extremely unfazed by complications. He managed to reroute the piping under our tiled floor without having to break into it at all. The other reviews are very accurate and I couldn't recommend him highly enough!
After six months of wrangling with Thames Water, an insurance company, a motley collection of leak inspectors, pipe contractors and two plumbers, we still had a mains water pipe unrepaired and leaking under our drive. Alan came over, diagnosed a solution in minutes, and returned within a week to singlehandedly repair everything with care and without fuss. He really knows his stuff, and is wholly professional in his work. If only we had called him six months earlier. His company thoroughly deserves the five stars.
I had a leak and my water had shut down completely but the leak was not visible. The insurance company told me I needed to get someone in to do track and trace which I did and they totally scammed me. I had no water for 3 days and then I found Alan and he came round promptly, located the leak without all this track and trace equipment, took the floorboards up and fixed the leak, water back working — all in under an hour and at such a very reasonable cost. I cannot rate him enough and would highly recommend him.
Alan (aka London and Surrey Water Services Ltd) turned up and made two access points at the water meter and garage. Then with the precision of NASA he used a tunnelling mole and came up bang centre of his target. This was amazing to watch — a distance of over 20 feet with minimal disruption. My new water supply was in, effectively, efficiently and at very reasonable cost since he didn't have to dig up all my drive to find the leak at great expense. No hesitation in recommending Alan. Clive Cox CEng (retired) MEng.
Alan did a fantastic job for us investigating and resolving poor water flow issues to our flat. Other Thames Water approved plumbers were proposing major replumbing with quotes as high as £20k and even charged to quote. Alan proposed replacing the pipework from the road with wider gauge pipe as the first step and the problem was solved for barely a twentieth of that cost. He's clearly an expert at solving domestic plumbing problems and stood out from every other firm we spoke to. Can't recommend enough!
I contacted Alan following a letter from Thames Water advising of a water leak at my property. Having popped over to determine the likely cause, Alan sent through an itemised quote and patiently answered my additional questions. He and Pierce carried out the work in a thoroughly professional and minimally intrusive manner by moling a new pipe under my driveway and installing a new internal stop valve. London and Surrey Water Services combine subject matter expertise, assuredness, clarity, reliability, responsiveness and honesty. They made a stressful incident so much easier to deal with.
We contacted Alan to detect a leak because of which our water bills had been through the roof for several months. He was extremely professional, answered my questions patiently, detected the leak with no interruption to our day and above all, coordinated with Thames Water to repair the leak. He was very prompt in replying to any messages or questions I sent him and voluntarily sent me all the information I needed to claim a leak allowance from Thames Water. One of the best customer service experiences I have had in a long time!
After a disappointing experience with another plumber whose work failed to meet the water company standards, we contacted Alan and we're so glad we did! Alan came to the rescue, immediately identified the substandard installation, and redid the entire lead pipe replacement to a professional standard. He was highly efficient, knowledgeable, and genuinely trustworthy. He explained everything clearly and carried out the work with great care and precision. The difference in quality was obvious. Thanks to Alan, everything passed inspection with no issues, and we finally have peace of mind. Highly recommended!
I first found Alan McBride of London and Surrey Water Services in 2016 after I had no water for weeks and Thames refused to do anything about it. He was unbelievable in his knowledge, his support, going over and above by advocating for me with Thames and getting the problem fixed. 7 years later I called on Alan again and it is inspiring to watch how thorough he is and how his mind works. He worked it out and the fix was simple. He really is quite a plumbing and water specialist genius!
A calm, pleasant and reassuring presence, Alan turned up early for his appointment and made replacing a leaking supply pipe under our Victorian house in West London seem like a simple task, causing the minimum of disruption. He is highly knowledgeable, efficient and professional, and even reduced his already-reasonable invoice because part of his quotation did not need to be done. Honest, conscientious and down-to-earth, Alan is a pleasure to deal with.
I found Alan's details on the Thames Water WaterSafe Approved Plumbers list and chose to contact him because of the amazing reviews he has received on Google. Alan was able to successfully install an internal water stopcock into a Victorian terrace house with very complex plumbing. Alan was very easy to deal with, very hard-working and explained exactly what he was doing. Alan's prices are also very reasonable. I will definitely contact Alan and London and Surrey Water Services for any future plumbing requirements I have. Very highly recommend.
Alan has done a fantastic job replacing our lead mains pipe following an internal water leak. He is helpful, professional and clear providing sensible advice including utilising his great experience and knowledge of working with Thames Water. He is quick to respond to any queries and he works diligently and neatly. To do the final connection once Thames Water were ready, Alan came back to complete the job with no fuss. Really strongly recommend Alan and really pleased we chose him.
Alan was superb from start to finish. From arriving to prepare a quote, doing the work, tidying up and making good and coming back to finish once Thames Water had completed their part of the lead pipe replacement. He helped with the various administration parts of the lead pipe replacement scheme by Thames Water which saved a lot of confusion, providing advice and explanation every step of the way. I would not hesitate to recommend Alan for any other similar work.
Called Alan to investigate a leak at the end of the driveway. He replaced the supply pipe into the house without disturbing the driveway which was a bonus. He was very professional, knowledgeable, personable and helped us submit for the lead pipe replacement scheme with the water company. Regularly checked in with us as the works between himself and water company were coordinated. Highly recommend Alan.
Our focus is on delivering cost-effective, safe, and reliable solutions for the replacement of lead water supply pipes.
Practical guidance on lead pipework, supply pipes, and replacement across Croydon
Lead supply pipework is the section of pipe that carries water from the external stop valve to the internal stop valve and is often visible in the section leading up to it. Lead pipes are typically dull grey, feel soft, have rounded joints, and will reveal a shiny silver metal if gently scratched.
The communication pipe runs from the public water mains to the outside stop tap, often at the property boundary — this section is owned and maintained by the water supplier (Water Board).
Lead contamination from old lead pipes can dissolve into water sitting in the pipework, posing serious health risks — especially to children and pregnant women. Exposure increases the risk of developmental problems, kidney and cardiovascular effects.
Under the lead replacement scheme, once you upgrade your private supply pipe, Thames Water will replace its section (communication pipe) free of charge.
Yes. If your property is currently connected to a shared supply pipe, there are two recognised options available, depending on your circumstances and the cooperation of neighbouring properties.
In some cases, a shared supply pipe can be replaced in full. This requires agreement and cost-sharing between all properties connected to that supply, as the pipework serves multiple households. Where neighbours are willing to proceed together, this can be an effective solution.
Alternatively, you can apply for a new, dedicated water connection. This involves installing a separate single-supply pipe directly from the water main to your property, thereby fully disconnecting you from the shared supply. A dedicated supply removes shared liability, improves reliability and water pressure, and clearly defines ownership and responsibility.
We assess both options during our site survey and provide clear guidance on the most practical and cost-effective route. Where a new connection is required, we manage the application process and coordinate with the relevant water company to ensure compliance and a smooth installation.
Yes. Older lead pipes or corroded pipes often restrict water flow, causing low water pressure or inconsistent flow at taps, power showers, and appliances like washing machines. Upgrading to modern materials (e.g. MDPE) as part of a full water pipe replacement will significantly improve flow, pressure, and overall reliability.
Although lead pipe installation has been banned since the 1970s, there is currently no blanket legal requirement forcing homeowners to replace existing lead pipes. However, regulatory guidance from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) strongly encourages replacement, as any lead exposure poses a health risk — and removal is the only permanent solution.
Most homeowner-side replacements can be completed in one day. After that, the water company coordinates the replacement of their section (the communication pipe), subject to scheduling and approvals, often within three months.
In many cases, no. Using modern trenchless technology such as impact moling, the new supply pipe can be installed with minimal digging and minimal disruption to driveways, paths, gardens or patios. Work is carried out to a high standard, with any disturbed ground restored.
Yes. We offer comprehensive external plumbing and utility services, including water supply pipe repairs, leak detection, new connections, and full water main replacement — for both domestic and commercial properties across Greater London and the South East.
Yes. Lead pipe replacement must be carried out by a competent, qualified plumber to ensure compliance with UK water regulations and to confirm the installation is safe and legally valid. While plumbers do not have to be WaterSafe-approved, work completed by a non-approved or independent plumber will usually need to be inspected and approved by the water company (such as Thames Water) before it can be accepted under the lead replacement scheme.
By using an approved contractor like London & Surrey Water Services, this additional inspection step is typically not required, as our work is self-certified and accepted by the water authorities—saving time, reducing delays, and ensuring a smoother replacement process.
Definitely. Modern materials used in pipe replacement are more durable and less prone to corrosion or leaks. This reduces the chance of potential leaks that could lead to water loss, structural damage, or high water bills.
Yes. The lead replacement scheme and water supply upgrades apply to both houses and commercial properties — provided the eligibility criteria are met.
If you suspect lead plumbing but haven't replaced it yet, run your cold kitchen tap for 1–2 minutes before using water for cooking or drinking, especially after overnight or long periods of inactivity. This flushes out water that has been sitting in lead pipes, reducing the risk of immediate exposure.
If you only replace the homeowner-side supply pipe, but the public-side communication pipe is still lead, some risk remains. Repairs to ageing lead pipework can disturb internal scale and potentially increase the release of lead into the water. The scheme recommends replacing both sections, but replacing your side is a vital first step to begin the process.
Start by checking your supply pipework and confirming eligibility. Then submit the online application on the Thames Water website and ensure a licensed plumber completes the replacement. Once approved, the Water Board will commit to replacing its section under the scheme.
Yes. Replacing lead pipes with modern, approved materials helps ensure full compliance with current UK water regulations, significantly reduces the risk of lead contamination, and supports long-term drinking water quality. For landlords and homeowners, it also future-proofs the property against tightening regulatory standards, protects asset value, and reduces the likelihood of enforcement issues or the need for remedial works later—benefiting both occupants and water suppliers.
Landlords are responsible for ensuring a safe water supply. If the property has lead supply pipework, replacing it with a modern, compliant supply pipe demonstrates responsibility, reduces liability, and meets increased tenant expectations for safe living conditions.
Following completion of the works, London & Surrey Water Services will issue full certification of works completed, confirming that your new supply pipe complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and is safe for drinking water. Our installations are accepted by the relevant water authorities without the need for additional inspection.
All works are carried out by fully qualified, insured professionals and are backed by a 15-year workmanship guarantee on full supply pipe replacements, providing long-term assurance for homeowners, landlords, and managing agents. We also carry full public liability insurance, ensuring that every project is delivered safely, in compliance, and to an excellent standard.
The cost of replacing a lead water main typically ranges from £800 to £3,000, depending on factors such as the length of the supply pipe, access conditions, ground conditions, whether the property is on a shared supply, and whether trenchless installation methods, such as impact moling, can be used.
Most standard residential replacements in London fall toward the lower end of this range. Factors such as pipe length, ground conditions, and the need to work around underground utilities all influence the final impact moling cost. Properties with longer pipe runs, restricted access, or complex layouts may fall toward the higher end. We provide a fixed quotation following a site survey, and where eligible, we assist with applications under the relevant Water Company Lead Pipe Replacement Schemes, which can significantly reduce overall costs.
Articles covering drinking water quality, public health, water regulations and insight into water company operations.
Lead exposure in children rarely announces itself. There is usually no illness to observe, no…
The 10 microgramme lead limit is often misunderstood There is a lot of confusion about…
London’s Unfinished Lead Pipe Problem For many Londoners, lead pipes sound like a problem from…
We offer a free assessment and free quote across Croydon and the wider South London and Greater London region, helping homeowners, landlords and potential buyers understand the quality of their water supply.
South LondonBromleyCroydonMertonKingston upon ThamesSuttonWandsworthWest LondonBrentEalingHammersmith & FulhamHarrowRichmond upon ThamesHillingdonHounslowEast LondonBarking & DagenhamBexleyGreenwichHackneyHaveringLewishamNewhamRedbridgeTower HamletsWaltham ForestNorth LondonBarnetEnfieldHaringeyCentral LondonCamdenCity of LondonKensington & ChelseaIslingtonLambethSouthwarkWestminsterSurreyElmbridgeEpsom & EwellGuildfordMole ValleyReigate & BansteadRunnymedeSpelthorneSurrey HeathTandridgeWaverleyWoking
To discuss your situation, arrange a visit, or request a callback from one of our team.
Leave your details and we will call you back
Just fill out the form below or call free on 0800 037 1247, and one of our team will get back to you promptly to discuss your requirements.