Lead-free plumbing now mandatory

All drinking water pipes and taps must be lead-free. The long-awaited move comes after plans to restrict lead levels in plumbing projects were announced in 2022.

 

After a transition period to allow the industry time to prepare, now all pipes, valves, fittings and tapware for new builds and renovations that come into contact with drinking water must be lead-free, which is defined as containing no more than 0.25% lead. The previous limit was 4.5%.

 

“The quality of the buildings where we live, work and play can have a significant impact on our wellbeing, and there is growing evidence that even trace amounts of lead exposure can be harmful over time,” Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says.

 

He echoes international health advice that removing lead from plumbing products entirely is the most effective way to reduce risk. Tapware must also be resistant to dezincification.

 

“That means designers and tradies will need to check that products specified in a building consent and those installed meet the updated requirements and confirm early with suppliers that compliant products are available, so they don’t get caught short.”

 

Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace says the move comes after eight years of lobbying for change.

 

“In 2018, we commissioned independent testing of five taps sold in New Zealand, which found one product purchased online from an overseas retailer to have lead levels 70% higher than the acceptable limit,” he says. Consumer NZ raised similar concerns in 2025 testing.

 

“There is no safe level of exposure to lead, and babies and toddlers are at most risk from permanent harm, particularly to the brain and nervous system.”

 

Consumers are advised to look for lead-free marking on plumbing fixtures, related products and packaging. Master Plumbers has developed a lead-free mark, and manufacturers might also use their own labelling or the WaterMark Lead Free mark.

 

Master Plumbers is now calling for a third-party verification scheme in New Zealand, similar to the mandatory Australian WaterMark programme. “This would ensure all tapware sold in New Zealand is independently tested and certified.”

 

Residents in homes with lead plumbing are advised by Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai to run taps used for drinking or cooking for at least 10 seconds first thing each morning to flush in fresh water, or for at least two minutes if the tap hasn’t been used for more than two days.

 

Water Services Authority head of operations Steve Taylor says the new requirements protect New Zealanders.

 

“Plumbing fixtures within homes and buildings may contain metals which can be harmful. Most drinking water in New Zealand is plumbosolvent. This means the water has the ability to absorb small amounts of metals, such as lead and copper, from plumbing.”

 

“Exposure to lead is associated with neurological damage, including lowered IQ and behavioural issues in children, and in adults with increased blood pressure and kidney damage,” says Prof Sally Gaw from the University of Canterbury’s School of Physical and Chemical Sciences.

 

“Preventing lead exposure through drinking water is important, as internationally the health advice is that there is no safe level of exposure to lead and that exposure to lead should be as low as reasonably achievable.

 

Technical lead for drinking water quality and education at Water New Zealand, Dr Belinda Cridge, says requiring lead-free pipes is an important piece of the puzzle. “It won’t radically change anyone’s lives, but it is a step in the right direction.

 

“Reducing the allowable lead levels in plumbing fixtures such as taps is an important part of the ongoing work to reduce our overall lead exposure and protect our whanau.

 

“Older taps and any fixtures that do not adhere to the new standard may still release lead. It is important to flush a small amount of water, about a cupful, every morning before using water from the tap.”

 

Now, New Zealand’s lead-free rules are in line with those of the United States. Europe is also tightening regulations. Australia is also transitioning to lead-free plumbing products as of 2 May.

 

“Governments around the world are working on getting lead exposure as low as possible. We want to get lead exposure out,” says Dr Cridge. “That started with petrol, and now we are systematically trying to get lead out of everything, including paint, occupational exposure, and drinking water.”

 

Taumata Arowai encourages anyone having new plumbing work done to talk to their plumber to ensure their drinking water plumbing is lead-free.

 

Existing buildings are not required to replace current plumbing, but homeowners can choose to upgrade if concerned.

 

Building consents issued before May 2, which specify non-compliant products under the new guidance, can still be used.

 

For more information on the change, visit the MBIE website.