How poor plumbing affects drinking water quality
Have you ever had to deal with water from your taps which looks, tastes or smells unusual – or even makes you sick?
What if we told you that perhaps there’s nothing wrong with the water you’re getting from your supplier; and your own water at home or in the office could be the issue?
As a matter of fact, as highlighted in their 2022 annual report, the Drinking Water Inspectorate found that of the 470 ‘water quality events’ that were reported to them that year, more than a quarter were caused by problems with the consumer’s own plumbing systems.
So how can poor plumbing make an impact on your water quality? Here’s just a handful of ways…
Lead drinking water pipes
These days, the risks of lead poisoning are fairly well understood; but that wasn’t always the case.
If you’re living or working in an older pre-1970s property, it’s possible that your plumbing system will still have lead pipes. Over time, those pipes will leach toxins into the drinking water flowing through them; which is very bad news for your health.
Exposure to lead can cause a range of conditions; including anaemia, high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, depression, memory loss, impotence, miscarriage and more. It’s particularly dangerous for young children, where it can cause severe learning difficulties or even death.
The fix:
Running your cold tap every day for a few minutes will often be enough to flush out any lead contamination; but if you’re worried, we’d suggest seeking out a plumber to replace your lead pipes with safer materials.
Dead legs
A building’s plumbing system can change a lot over time.
New additions, removals and modifications can often end up leaving ‘dead legs’ in the system – effectively dead ends, or outlets which are rarely or never used – which can be a problem for your water safety.
Since these pipes don’t get the same consistent flow of water that the rest of your plumbing system gets, water can sit inside them and stagnate; becoming a breeding ground for Legionella and other bacteria.
The fix:
Any dead legs or redundant pipes should be cut off and kept as short as physically possible. If you have any outlets which are rarely used, flush them through regularly to prevent stagnating water.
Flimsy, outdated plumbing materials
This can particularly be a problem for older properties. Many older pipe materials are actually much more susceptible to leaks, cracks and bursting; including galvanised steel, cast iron and clay pipes.
If that happens, you could find your building’s water supply becoming contaminated. You might even be unlucky enough to get wastewater sewage backflowing up and out of your taps and toilet.
The fix:
If you’re experiencing leaks, signs of contamination, or you’re simply concerned that your property may have outdated plumbing fixtures, it’s best to recruit a plumber to take a look at things.
However, if you’re experiencing a flood of sewage in the building, report the flood to your water provider and insurer as soon as possible. If you can, switch off your electricity at the fusebox; and be sure to keep any kids and pets safe.
You should also clean your hands if you’ve touched any flood water, but be aware that your taps may be affected by the same backflow problem. It may be safer to wash them at a friend’s or neighbour’s house instead!
Poorly planned or misconnected pipes
Pipes don’t necessarily have to become damaged to cause problems. If they have been connected incorrectly, they can still potentially contaminate safe water supplies.
Misconnected pipes can also contribute to environmental pollution. Wastewater from washing machines, dishwashers and toilets should be directed to a sewage inlet where the water can be appropriately treated.
Instead, poor quality plumbing will often simply point the contaminated water to a surface water drain, where it can travel untreated into lakes, streams and the wider ocean.
The fix:
Examine the pipes coming out of your property. Guttering should not be directly connected to sewage pipes, unless it’s an older property with a combination drain. Again, it’s wise to consult a plumber if you’re concerned.
Worried about the quality of the water coming from your taps? Dynamika offers dedicated water testing for homes and businesses via UKAS-accredited laboratories. Get in touch on 03333 22 0800 to arrange a water quality consultation today.