Older housing stock built before the 1980s may contain lead pipes which, in turn, causes lead – which can be harmful to health – to enter drinking water. The Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme provides funding for 100 per cent of the approved cost of works to replace lead pipes, up to €5,000.
The grant is administered by local authorities and is not means-tested. The removal of lead pipes is the most effective way to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and the available grant has the aim of replacing lead pipes with healthier, modern alternatives in the interests of public health.
From today (June 20), a Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage advertising campaign (across print, broadcast and digital media) will encourage affected home owners to avail of the scheme.
People can find out if their homes contain lead pipes by checking the pipe running from the water main to your kitchen tap and looking for the point where the water supply pipe enters your house. Unpainted lead pipes are dull grey in colour and the joints appear to be ‘swollen’. They are also soft and scraping the surface with a coin will reveal a shiny, silver metal beneath. A qualified plumber or a registered building professional can also check the type of pipework in your home.
Uisce Eireann Customer Opt-In
The grant to remove lead pipes from the private site of your property complements Uisce Éireann’s (Irish Water) Customer Opt-In programme. This scheme replaces lead pipes on the public side of your property free of charge. To qualify you must have replaced your lead private supply pipe.