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CASE #001 · WATER

Lead from your own taps

Opening the case on the last metre of pipe: the bit between your wall and your glass.

FIX IT: EASY

The evidence

Town water supplied to Australian homes is treated and tested, and Australia's environmental health authority (enHealth) states it's known to be safe. The question is what happens inside your own home.

4.5%Until recently, brass taps and fittings sold in Australia were allowed to contain up to 4.5% lead.
Source: AS 3855-1994 / ABCB WaterMark requirements
0.25%Since 1 May 2026, new plumbing products that touch drinking water must be lead free (no more than 0.25% lead). Older tapware already installed doesn't get swapped automatically.
Source: ABCB / National Construction Code
1 in 12In an Australian study of household taps, about 1 in 12 first-draw samples (water that had sat in the tap overnight) was above the drinking water guideline for lead.
Source: Harvey, Handley & Taylor (2016), Macquarie University

The pattern: water that sits still in brass fittings can pick up small amounts of lead. Water that's been running doesn't sit long enough to.

The fix

  1. Flush first thing. Run the cold tap for at least 10 seconds in the morning, or after you've been away, before you drink or cook with it. Current enHealth guidance. Use the water on plants.
  2. Drink and cook from cold. Use the cold tap for anything you'll drink or cook with. Hot water can draw out more metal.
  3. Replacing tapware? Ask your plumber for products marked lead free. Anything newly certified from May 2026 should be.
  4. Want extra peace of mind? A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduces it at the tap. Check the certificate lists lead specifically, not just "heavy metals".

Kip's picks

Only needed if you want a filter. Flushing is free and works.

JUG FILTER

Certified lead-reducing jug

Look for: NSF/ANSI 53, lead listed

See Kip's pick
UNDER-SINK

Certified under-sink filter

Look for: NSF/ANSI 53, lead listed

See Kip's pick

Case closed

Your water arrives safe. Flush the cold tap for at least 10 seconds in the morning and you've handled most of it. CASE CLOSED

Sources

  1. enHealth (2021), Guidance on lead in drinking water from plumbing products (flush at least 10 seconds; town water known to be safe).
  2. Harvey, P.J., Handley, H.K. & Taylor, M.P. (2016), study of lead in household drinking water, Macquarie University.
  3. Australian Building Codes Board, lead-free plumbing products requirement from 1 May 2026; Building and Plumbing Commission Victoria guidance.
  4. NHMRC, Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (lead guideline 0.01 mg/L).

Facts checked against the sources above. Something wrong or out of date? Message @kipinvestigates and we'll fix it.