What assessment has the Government made of the potential risk to health posed by an aging asbestos concrete water distribution pipe system and the possibility of asbestos fibres being released into the water supply?
Reviews of relevant research on asbestos in drinking water have been carried out by a number of organisations and the World Health Organisation (WHO) expert panel has considered the science. The latest WHO guidelines for drinking water quality, Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edition, incorporating the 1st addendum (who.int) state that there is no consistent, convincing evidence for adverse health effects from the ingestion of asbestos fibres in drinking-water. The Drinking Water Inspectorate provide advice on drinking water standards, and they have advised it is not considered appropriate or necessary to establish a guideline value for asbestos fibres in drinking-water at this time.
However, the WHO has stated that considering the uncertainties and limitations of available evidence, it is only prudent to minimise the concentrations of asbestos fibres in drinking-water as far as practical. Where asbestos cement materials are used, such as in pipes and storage containers, degradation and release of fibres into drinking water should be minimised by controlling water corrosivity or coating asbestos cement pipes with suitable structural linings (WHO 2021). Any new evidence that comes to light will be considered and included in guidance where necessary.