WATER TREATMENT, DRAINAGE & PIPED SERVICES
How EU changes could shape drinking water system design to futureproof UK buildings
New legislation in the EU will improve quality standards for drinking water, tightening the maximum limits for certain pollutants such as lead and harmful bacteria. In doing so, it will also set minimum hygiene requirements for materials in contact with water, such as pipes and fittings, to avoid contamination. Natalie Morris, technical sales manager for Geberit, explores what the changes could mean for UK building services professionals and the specification of future drinking water systems
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he European Commission recently updated the 1998 Drinking Water Directive (DWD) as part of its commitment to safeguarding water quality, introducing stricter standards for materials that come into contact with drinking water. Acceptable levels of lead, for example, have been halved from the current maximum of 10 µg/L at the tap to 5 µg/L. As part of the changes, an ‘EU Positive List’ will come into force from December 2026, which mandates hygiene requirements for water-contact materials such as pipes and fittings. The list specifies that these materials must demonstrate a maximum of 0.1% weight/ weight for lead in lead-containing alloys such as copper, brass, bronze and gunmetal. New products will be required to comply with the list from December 2026, with a transition period running until the end of 2032. New hallmarks will also be introduced, which specifically address drinking water requirements, and are expected to reach the market in 2028.
Following similar legislation in Australia and now the EU, it is only a matter of time before the UK follows suit. For those involved in the design and delivery of commercial buildings, where project programmes can span several years and systems are expected to perform for decades, this raises an important question: could this be the beginning of the end for traditional copper fittings in drinking water systems?
Why lead is under scrutiny
Lead has long been used within plumbing components, particularly in brass and some copper fittings, where it improves machinability during manufacturing. The amounts involved are relatively small, but growing understanding of the health impacts of lead exposure has prompted the change. Across Europe, the focus is now shifting
from managing lead levels to reducing them wherever practical in products used for drinking water distribution.
For building services designers, specifiers and contractors, this makes material selection an increasingly important consideration. Commercial projects are expected to demonstrate not only regulatory compliance but also resilience against future legislative changes. Buildings such as schools, hospitals, residential towers, offices and public facilities are expected to operate for 30, 40 or even 50 years, and developers are placing greater emphasis on whole-life performance, sustainability and reducing future maintenance costs. Decisions made during construction today could determine whether those systems remain compliant and fit for purpose decades into the future.
Against this backdrop, specifying lead-free drinking water systems in the UK becomes less about responding to current legislation and more about reducing future risk. Should UK regulations eventually follow a similar path to Europe, buildings already installed with lead-free systems are unlikely to require expensive remedial work or component replacement. Conversely, projects relying on traditional materials could face difficult conversations years after completion if standards evolve.
For specifiers, this highlights the value of considering not only whether a system meets today’s requirements, but whether it is equipped to meet the expectations of tomorrow.
Installation efficiency | still matters
Of course, material selection is rarely based on compliance alone. Building services
22 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2026
contractors continue to balance installation speed, labour availability, reliability and programme pressures on every project. Modern press-fit systems have already transformed commercial installations by removing the need for hot works and drastically cutting installation times. One example is Geberit’s FlowFit piping system, which has been designed specifically for potable water applications using lead-free fittings throughout the system. As well as addressing future material
requirements, the system has also been engineered to simplify installation through optimised pressing technology. This includes only two pressing jaws to cover all dimensions from d16 to d75, eliminating the need for frequent tool changes. Smaller diameters can even be bent by hand because of the pipe’s multilayer construction.
In fact, a time and motion study carried out by BSRIA in 2025 found that FlowFit installations could be completed up to 274% faster than traditional press-fit systems in certain applications. Importantly, faster installation does not need to come at the expense of long-term reliability. Systems that combine efficient installation with durable, corrosion-resistant materials can offer contractors greater confidence in performance and reliability, while helping projects stay on programme. As pressure continues to grow on the
construction industry to deliver projects efficiently while considering whole-life performance, solutions that address both installation and future compliance can provide greater value from the outset.
Looking ahead
Of course, there is no suggestion that existing commercial drinking water systems need replacing simply because regulatory requirements are changing elsewhere. Existing installations will continue to operate safely within current UK regulations. However, new projects represent an opportunity to think beyond immediate standards. With the EU already moving towards lead-free drinking water systems and the construction industry placing increasing emphasis on future-proof specification, building services professionals can begin making informed material choices today rather than waiting for legislation to force change tomorrow. For many projects, selecting lead-free systems offers one practical way of achieving that objective while also delivering installation efficiencies and supporting long-term confidence in the finished system. As regulations continue to evolve, future-
proofing is becoming less about predicting exactly what comes next and more about selecting solutions that are ready for it when it arrives.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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