Scheme for replacing lead water pipe?

Possom

My mains water from the main isolation tap in my house back out (presumably) to the street, is a lead pipe.

A plumber suggested to me, though he didn't know, that perhaps there might be some government scheme to replace this.

Would anyone happen to know if there is one in NI?

Thanks.

KiwiCoop

No scheme as such but NI Water will make the connection to the toby in the street from your boundary free of charge a few weeks after you lodge the application form. However you are responsible for everything on your side i.e. digging a trench, supplying & laying the blue pipe etc. Depending on what's involved in getting the new pipe from your own stopcock to the boundary, the cost/hassle may not make it viable unless your current water pressure is particularly poor (or you're overly worried about the whole lead thing).

Carrot007

KiwiCoop wrote: »

No scheme as such but NI Water will make the connection to the toby in the street from your boundary free of charge a few weeks after you lodge the application form. However you are responsible for everything on your side i.e. digging a trench, supplying & laying the blue pipe etc. Depending on what's involved in getting the new pipe from your own stopcock to the boundary, the cost/hassle may not make it viable unless your current water pressure is particularly poor (or you're overly worried about the whole lead thing).

Indeed though it is a very easy job do do yourself. Yes the digging is hard work but I did it in my last house in order to get the water pressure from pathetic to very good!.

Possom

KiwiCoop wrote: »

No scheme as such but NI Water will make the connection to the toby in the street from your boundary free of charge a few weeks after you lodge the application form.

That would be a distance of 12 inches from my front gate.

KiwiCoop wrote: »

(or you're overly worried about the whole lead thing).

That was my concern. I presumed a lead water supply pipe was automatically hazardous and should be extracted.