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FAQ Frequently asked questions about lead in drinking water

Older houses built before 1973 may still have lead pipes. These pipes can release lead into the drinking water, especially if the water stands in the pipes for a long time. Lead poses a health risk as it can damage the nervous system and haematopoiesis. Lead can impair the learning ability, attention and hearing, especially in children. Lead enters the body through drinking water, where some of it excrete while the rest retains in bones and teeth. In certain situations, such as illness or pregnancy, this retained lead can release again.
For this reason, the use of lead pipes in drinking water installations is prohibited. The legal limit for lead in drinking water is currently 10 micrograms per litre, but reduces to 5 micrograms per litre from 12th January 2028. Lead pipes must been replaced or decommissioned by 12th January 2026. If you still have lead pipes in your home, you can find important information here.

How can you tell if your water pipes are made of lead?

Look out for the following characteristics:

  • Lead pipes are often bent and not straight.
  • They are grey in colour if they are not painted.
  • When you knock on the pipes, they sound hollow.
  • Lead can been easily scratched with a hard object.
  • The solder joints on lead pipes are often bulging and not smooth.
  • In most cases, you can check parts of the water pipes before and after the water meter to determine whether lead pipes are present.

Could the pipe from the property to the house still be made of lead?

Yes, this pipe may still be made of lead. This means that the homeowner is responsible for replacing or decommissioning this lead pipe. Only in houses built after 1996, the water supplier wesernetz is responsible for the pipes up to the point where the water is supplied to the house (before the water meter).

Are there still lead pipes in the wesernetz supply network?

No, wesernetz no longer has any lead pipes in its supply network.

What should you do if your house still has lead pipes?

Lead pipes must been replaced or decommissioned by 12th January 2026. Landlords in particular are obliged to do this in time. Homeowners who live in their own homes and do not rent them out have the option of applying to the Bremen health authority for an extension under certain conditions.
It is important that you contact a specialist company to discuss the necessary steps for removing or decommissioning the lead pipes. This will ensure that the drinking water supply in your home is safe and complies with legal requirements.

How can you determine if your drinking water is contaminated with lead?

Have your drinking water tested in a laboratory. There are no quick tests to do at home. You find a list of approved laboratories in Bremen here: Drinking water testing centres (pdf, 140.6 KB).

How much does a drinking water test for lead cost?

Testing a water sample costs around € 30 to € 50. The costs may vary depending on the laboratory.

How is a drinking water analysisarranged?

If the results of the drinking water analysis have to be legally binding, three samples have to be taken at different times on the same day. This is a recommendation from the Federal Environment Agency. You have to commission the laboratory that is analysing the samples or the health authority to take the samples.
If you do not require legally binding results, you can take samples yourself and have them tested at a laboratory of your choice. You can ask the laboratory to provide you with suitable 1-litre bottles before taking the samples and return them there once they are filled.

What can you do if your drinking water is contaminated with lead?

The following measures may help:

  • Let the water run until it is cold before drinking or using it. This will remove any standing water from the pipes that may becontaminated with lead.
  • Lead pipes must be decommissioned or completely removed. If you are a tenant, inform your landlord of this obligation. As the owner, you may be able to apply to the health authority for an extension of the deadline for replacing the pipes under certain conditions. Avoid water filters, as they often do not remove lead completely. In some cases, filters can even increase the lead contamination in filtered drinking water if they are not changed in time.

Act quickly to reduce lead contamination and protect your health. If you have any questions, please contact your local health authority.

Does your landlord have to inform you about lead pipes?

Yes, landlords are legally required to inform tenants if there are lead pipes and when they will be replaced.

Can you get your body tested for lead?

Yes, it is possible to test for lead in your blood or urine.
If you have concerns or suspect that you have been exposed to lead, you should discuss this with your doctor. Doctors can arrange the appropriate tests. Your results can be compared with reference values that have been statistically determined for healthy individuals.
However, it is important to note that it is not possible to establish a direct link between a detected lead exposure in the body and existing symptoms.