10 Review of Lead Piping in Public and Private Housing in Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Council · 18 May 2026
Back to Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board — 18 May 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board On: 18th May 2026 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Lead Officer ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Lead Piping in Public and Private Housing in Renfrewshire ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 As its meeting on 30 June 2022 members of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board agreed an annual programme of activity for the Board for 2022/23. This included a review of lead piping in public and private housing in Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Board is asked to: • Approve the purpose and scope of the review; • Approve the provisional timescale as outlined in Appendix 1 to this report; • Authorise the Lead Officer to contact any organisations mentioned by the Board who may have information useful to the Board and who may be a potential witness; • Delegate powers to the Lead Officer, in consultation with the Convenor, and grant the Convenor of the Board permission to alter the timetable having regard to the availability of evidence and witnesses throughout the course of the review; and, • Authorise the Lead Officer to make the necessary arrangements to progress the review within the required timescales.
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Lead was used in water service pipes until it was phased out in 1960s and became illegal to use for new pipework in Scotland in 1969. However, many properties older than 1969 may still have lead piping, particularly in underground supply lines or internal piping. Lead was also used in solder joints, this use was banned for plumbing systems which supply water for drinking, cooking or bathing in 1987. 3.2 Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that when inhaled or ingested causes lead toxicity (also known as lead poisoning). Lead toxicity can produce a range of symptoms, both from acute and chronic exposure. The health harms of lead exposure which are of greatest public health significance are adverse neurodevelopmental effects in children and cardiovascular disease in adults. 3.3 Lead accumulates in the body and there is no safe level of exposure. Those at particular risk are infants, young children and pregnant women. 3.4 There is a particular risk when water comes into contact with lead piping for prolonged periods of time (overnight) as this can result in a high level of lead in the drinking water. This is due to the lead from the pipework dissolving into the water as it stands, especially if the water is acidic. In areas with soft water, as in Scotland, there is a higher risk of poisoning. In hard water areas, limescale builds up inside the pipes and lines them to form a barrier between the pipe and the water. DWQR (Drinking Water Quality Regulator) requires drinking water in Scotland to be of the range pH 6.5 to pH 9.5 (below 7 is acidic). 3.5 The Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2014 specifies acceptable levels of certain elements and substances in drinking water. It sets the maximum acceptable level for lead as 10 μg/l (point of sample at consumer tap). 3.6 When lead piping is identified in the supply of drinking water, short term measures such as flushing prior to use and using an alternative water source can be put in place. Long term the lead pipes should be replaced, however this can take time and has financial implications. ___________________________________________ 4. Purpose of the Review 4.1 The key purpose of the review will be to:
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PUBLIC (1) set out the strategies in place to identify and replace lead pipes in housing across all tenures, in Renfrewshire. (2) set out the council’s current arrangements for addressing lead piping within council housing stock. (3) identify any recommendations that the council could pursue, within the available resources, to support replacement of lead piping in both private and council housing by providing non-financial assistance. ___________________________________________ 5. Scope of the Review 5.1 In relation to 4.1(1), the Lead Officer will review relevant legislation and guidance available and the existing framework to support the identification and replacement of lead pipes. Engage with other organisations that have a responsibility for lead piping and understand their processes in relation to identification and replacement. This will include private housing, private lets, housing association properties and properties serviced by a private water supply. 5.2 In relation to section 4.1(2), the Lead Officer will examine how the Housing service manages lead piping within council properties, the number of properties potentially affected, and the actions already undertaken. 5.3 In relation to 4.1(3), the Lead Officer will focus on where the Council could improve its response to lead piping within housing in Renfrewshire, reviewing support available elsewhere, particularly by other Scottish Local Authorities and provide recommendations. 5.4 For clarity, this review will not cover commercial premises or public buildings. Under Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, employers have a duty to employees and persons other than their employees, this would include limiting exposure to lead. ___________________________________________ 6. Timetable and witnesses 6.1 If approved, it is proposed that the review commences following the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board and is progressed through subsequent Board meetings, when a final draft report being submitted for approval by 6th November 2026 and a final report thereafter to Council by 25th January 2027 (Appendix 1).
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PUBLIC 6.2 From an initial review of stakeholders, it is recommended that witnesses/representatives from the council’s Housing service, Environmental Health and partners including Scottish Water, DWQR and Scottish Government be invited to future meetings to provide information to the board. Witnesses will be asked to provide written evidence prior to any meetings with the Board to allow members sufficient time for preparation ahead of the meeting. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - none 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is well – this review of lead piping within housing in Renfrewshire will highlight strategies, information and actions being taken by relevant agencies to identify and remove/mitigate the impacts of lead pipework in drinking water supplies. This will make this safer for our residents 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights - (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement - None
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PUBLIC 10. Risk - None 11. Privacy Impact - None 12. Climate Risk - None 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. Cosla Policy Position - None _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers- None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Rachael Flanagan Lead Officer – Environmental Health Rachael.flanagan@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 – Timetable for Review of Lead Piping within Housing in Renfrewshire Date of Board Meeting Stage of Review 18th May 2026 Commencement of review 17th August 2026 Continuation of review 21st September 2026 Continuation of review 6th November 2026 Draft report to Board 25th January 2027 Final report to Council