Water firms are so behind on renovations that dangerous lead pipes won’t be eradicated for more than 1,000 years, a watchdog has warned.

       There are around 5.7 million lead-lined pipes, which pose a risk to drinking water supplies, in England.

       The use of lead pipes to carry drinking water was banned in 1969 over dangers to health, particularly to childhood development and kidney, heart and circulatory functions.

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       But water companies have been slow to replace older pipes in their networks, despite an industry commitment to be lead-free by 2050.

       Based on existing plans, no water company will reach the 2050 target, with some replacement programmes not expected to conclude until the next century, according to the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

       The watchdog found that only South West and Bournemouth Water was close to its target, with its replacement programme on course to complete by 2078.

       In contrast, Anglian Water would not finish replacing lead pipes until the year 3273 under current timelines.

       Tim Pye from campaign group Lead Exposure and Poisoning Prevention Alliance said the delays were “ridiculous”.

       “Water companies are clearly not doing anywhere near enough to achieve this target,” he said. “It takes very little lead to cause health harms and we consume a relatively large amount of water.”

       Water companies dose their supplies with phosphates to mitigate the risk of lead in the water, but these are in finite supply and can exacerbate river pollution.

       Several water companies have acknowledged in their most recent investment programmes that dosing is an unsustainable solution, and that replacing lead pipes is the only long-term option.

       There are no safe levels of lead in drinking water, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), but UK regulations set the maximum limit for lead in drinking water at 10 microgrammes per litre. Over time, the substance can build up in the body.

       Thames Water, which has the highest number of lead pipes on its network, says it detects lead levels above the maximum limit 15 to 20 times a year from customers’ taps. It is prioritising replacing pipes leading to primary schools and nurseries.

       In its investment proposals, Yorkshire Water says that future changes to legislation could require the water company to ramp up its replacement programme to hit the 2050 voluntary target, which will otherwise be missed.

       Plans to speed-up replacement

       The water industry argues that it needs to be allowed to invest more via customer bills in its lead pipe programme, and says it has plans to accelerate replacement in coming decades.

       A Water UK spokesman said: “Tap water in the UK is among the best in the world and is subject to stringent testing – including for lead – to ensure it’s safe and wholesome to drink.

       “Ofwat sets the level of investment for improvements like lead pipe replacement. It has consistently cut investment, delaying many improvements, and is proposing to do so again.

       “Ofwat needs to change position and back our ￡105 billion investment plan in full to secure our water supplies, enable economic growth and end sewage spilling into our rivers and seas.”

       Lead was commonly used in pipes, paints and petrol prior to the 1970s. Water companies are only responsible for pipes that lead to the property boundary, and households with homes built before 1970 are advised to check for lead pipes in their own systems.

       Customers can ask their water company to check if their property has lead pipes, which might be indicated by dull grey pipes with a swollen joint next to the tap.

       Lead levels can be reduced by running the tap to clear any water that has been standing in the pipework for a significant length of time, such as overnight.