We know old water tanks are likely to contain asbestos, but most of us don’t think much about the pipes delivering water to our homes. But what if those pipes are made of asbestos cement? The same asbestos that causes cancer when inhaled. It’s a material that was once commonly used in water pipes throughout the UK.
Now, these pipes are reaching the end of their life. And with time, they deteriorate, potentially releasing asbestos fibres into the very water we drink.
Let’s look at why this is a bigger problem than you might realise and what’s being done about it.
How Asbestos Cement Ended Up in Water Pipes
Asbestos was seen as a wonder material. It was tough, durable, and made cement pipes stronger. So, back in the day, it made perfect sense to use it in water pipes. By 1988, a staggering 12 million people in the UK were getting their water through asbestos cement pipes. That’s around 23,000 miles of pipe.
But as we all know now, asbestos isn’t just another building material. It’s deadly. When asbestos fibres become airborne, they can be inhaled and lodged in the lungs, leading to serious diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The problem with asbestos cement pipes is that as they age, they start to break down. And that’s where the danger lies.
How Do These Pipes Break Down?
Here’s the thing. Water flowing through the pipes causes a reaction in the cement. Calcium from the concrete seeps into the water, softening the pipe walls. Over time, the cement corrodes.
When that happens, the asbestos fibres within the cement are exposed. Eventually, they can end up being released into the water supply. That’s right. Tiny, dangerous asbestos fibres could be making their way into the water we drink, cook with, and bathe in.
What Do the Experts Say?
Scientists are still debating whether asbestos in water is as harmful as asbestos in the air. We know inhaling asbestos can cause cancer. But what happens if we ingest it?
For years, the general belief was that swallowing asbestos wasn’t much of a risk. The idea was that most fibres would pass through our bodies and be expelled. But new studies are starting to challenge that thinking.
In 2023, Italian researchers discovered that asbestos fibres may actually build up in the colon. This has led to questions about whether asbestos in drinking water could be linked to stomach and bowel cancers. Some studies suggest a connection, while others say the evidence isn’t strong enough. It’s not a clear-cut case, but it’s worrying enough to keep investigating.
How Much Asbestos is in Your Water?
The big question is: how much asbestos is really in our water?
In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that in some places, there could be between 10 million and 300 million asbestos fibres in just one litre of water. That’s an eye-watering number.
But right now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) doesn’t have a specific limit for asbestos in drinking water. However, the organisation is set to update its guidelines in 2026. In their 2022 report, WHO did suggest keeping asbestos levels in water as low as possible, urging for more monitoring to find out just how much asbestos is making its way into our water.
What’s Being Done About It?
You’d think that with all this uncertainty around the risks, there’d be strict regulations in place. But the reality is, in the UK, water companies aren’t required to check for asbestos in their water supply. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) follows WHO guidelines, which means asbestos levels aren’t actively monitored.
In contrast, the United States took a more cautious approach. Since 1974, the Environmental Protection Agency has set a limit of seven million asbestos fibres per litre of water. They focus on fibres longer than 10 microns, as these are more likely to cause harm. But even shorter fibres, around five microns, have been linked to injury. In fact, most asbestos fibres found in US cement pipes are only four microns long. So the concern isn’t just about the big fibres.
Other Countries Are Taking Action
Australia has a similar problem, with 70% of their asbestos cement water pipes located in Victoria. They’re taking strong action with drainage excavation and replacing these pipes with modern alternatives. Rather than digging up old asbestos pipes, which could release harmful fibres into the air, they’re burying the old ones to let them decompose safely underground.
Here in the UK, replacing all the asbestos cement water mains would cost between £5 and £8 billion. With costs like that, it’s unlikely we’ll see a nationwide replacement any time soon. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. These pipes are nearing the end of their life, and their deterioration is inevitable.
What Should Be Done in the UK?
Replacing asbestos cement pipes isn’t just about swapping out old for new. It’s about doing it safely. If these pipes are already damaged, they could release asbestos fibres into the air. That’s the last thing we want.
In an ideal world, we’d follow the example of Victoria, Australia. We’d install new pipes without disturbing the old ones. But if the old pipes need to be handled, anyone working on them must wear protective equipment. Any broken pieces of pipe should be enclosed to prevent fibres from becoming airborne. Air monitoring equipment might be needed to ensure no one is exposed.
And don’t forget: the old pipework and any contaminated workwear need to be disposed of properly, with tools and equipment decontaminated to avoid spreading asbestos.
What Does the Future Hold?
We’re still learning about the risks of asbestos in water. And until the science becomes clearer, there’s no guarantee that drinking water from asbestos cement pipes is safe. One thing is for sure though: as these pipes age and deteriorate, the risk only increases.
Governments and water authorities should be proactive. It’s better to replace old asbestos cement pipes before they become a bigger problem. Waiting until they’ve completely deteriorated could be a disaster—not just for public health, but for the enormous costs that come with dealing with a major asbestos exposure crisis.
The hidden danger of asbestos in water pipes is something we can’t afford to ignore. Now’s the time to address it, before it’s too late.
