Lead pipes

Summary

The request sought information on the quantity of lead pipes in the Isle of Man water network, the presence of lead in domestic supplies, and replacement plans. The authority disclosed that 1,099 communication pipes are made of lead, no mains are lead, and no traces were found in recent testing, while noting that a full replacement date cannot be predicted.

Key Facts

• There are 1,099 communication pipes made of lead in the network, but no water mains are made of lead.
• Traces of lead are very rarely found in domestic water supplies.
• In 2018/19, 166 random customer samples and 81 Government Analyst samples showed no lead above the detection limit of 5µg/l.
• Manx Utilities replaces lead pipes on a customer-requested basis, averaging 170 customers per year.
• A corrosion inhibitor is dosed into the water system to prevent lead leaching.

Data Disclosed

• 1099
• 166
• 81
• 5µg/l
• 170
• 2018/19
• 1960's
• 1970's
• 2019-07-29
• 2019-08-05

Original Request

How many pipes within the Isle of Man water network are made from/constructed from Lead? Are traces of lead found within domestic water supplies? Is there a plan to replace any lead pipes and when will this work be completed by?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Utilities PO Box 177, Douglas Isle of Man, IM99 1PS

e: enquiries@manxutilities.im t: 01624 687687 www.manxutilities.im

Our ref: 902593 5 August 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 29 July 2019 and which states:

"How many pipes within the Isle of Man water network are made from/constructed from Lead? Are traces of lead found within domestic water supplies? Is there a plan to replace any lead pipes and when will this work be completed by?"

Our response to your request is as follows: Analysis of our data shows that there are 1099 communication pipes that are made of lead. There are no water mains made of lead. We regularly test water supplies for lead and traces of lead are very rarely found. In 2018/19 we took 166 samples from customer properties (chosen at random) and there were no incidences of lead discovered (the limit of detection is 5µg/l or micro grams/litre). In addition the Government Analyst took 81 samples of which none had traces of lead above the limit of detection. Manx Utilities replaces its own sections of lead pipes when requested by customers who are replacing theirs. This is known as the lead replacement scheme, details of which can be found on our website. Our records show that on average, 170 customers per year have taken advantage of this scheme. However, it is not possible to predict a date when all lead pipes will have been replaced. In addition we dose a small amount of an industry approved substance into the water system which reacts with lead to provide a coating that prevents corrosion. Since the introduction of this process, the incidences of traces of lead in drinking water are very rare. For your further information, Lead was used extensively in plumbing installations up the 1960’s. Since then its use has reduced and had virtually stopped by the 1970’s. Consequently, many older houses still have lead plumbing. Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please quote the reference number 902593 in any future communications. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely