Salmon Plumbing Guarantee to ARRIVE ON TIME to your scheduled appointment.
In the rare instance that your plumber has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we promise to give you a MINIMUM 30-minutes notice of ANY change in arrival time and will offer to reschedule, if that’s more convenient for you
If we don’t give you at least 30 minutes notice in advance, we will happily give you a FREE Hour of Service on your plumbing job.
This offer is not to be used with any other offer.
Does not apply to quoted jobs.
Discounts will not be applied to overdue amounts.
Deposits
Deposits are not refundable however partial or total refunds of deposits may be made at the sole discretion of Salmon Plumbing.
Cancellations
Salmon Plumbing reserve the right to charge for lost time as a result of cancellations and or postponement made less than 2 business days from the scheduled appointment time.
Warranties
Salmon Plumbing offers a 6 and half year warranty as per the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC).
Have you ever wondered whether there is lead leaching into your drinking water?
New drinking water plumbing systems are set to become safer than ever before when new regulations come into force on 1 May 2026.
From that date, all new plumbing installations that come into contact with drinking water will need to meet a stricter definition of ‘lead-free,’ meaning lead in Brisbane drinking water will eventually become a thing of the past.
Lead in Brisbane drinking water – what’s the big deal?
A long time ago, before the perils of lead toxicity were understood, lead was the go-to choice for pipes and plumbing fittings. The metal was easy to work with, did not corrode easily and was the most durable choice readily available at the time.
However, as we began to learn of the ways lead can get into the water supply and impact our bodies, it was largely phased out of use.
We now know that even tiny amounts of lead can be toxic and potentially cause kidney and brain damage. Exposure to lead can also negatively impact the immune and reproductive systems, affect the production of red blood cells, and lead to lower IQ scores in children.
The good news is that Brisbane’s drinking water is generally safe. Our water is regularly tested by Urban Utilities, and their annual reports are available online. The amount of lead in the water, as tested at the supply source, is well below health guidelines at less than 0.001mg/L.
Most older homes would have had their lead pipes replaced in the years since installation, as lead pipes were notorious for not lasting. It is worth having them checked by a plumber if you are worried that your old home still has some very old pipework in existence – both old lead and galvanised pipes can be a source of contaminants.
Today, the most likely source of lead in your drinking water will be at the tap fitting – especially if it is a cheap fitting sourced from a country that has lax health regulations and little manufacturing oversight.
How will the updated WaterMark Certification Scheme reduce lead in drinking water?
To be used in a drinking water system, plumbing products in Australia are required to be listed as compliant with the WaterMark Certification Scheme.
This Australian Federal Government scheme is administered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).
In 2020, the ABCB advised all stakeholders that to receive WaterMark Certification in future, products would need to comply with the new definition of ‘lead-free’ – a maximum of 0.25% lead as a weighted average in the product.
As of 1 May 2023, plumbing supply manufacturers have been given a 3-year period to identify which products will be impacted and to develop new low-lead taps and fittings that meet the requirements.
Products that fit the bill can start using the Lead Free WaterMark trademark as soon as they are compliant.
By 1 May 2026, the new Lead Free WaterMark requirements will come into full effect, because after this time, all products used in plumbing services for Australian drinking water systems will need to be compliant.
What if I have plumbing works done before May 1st, 2026?
If you have plumbing work done between now and 1 May 2026, you can ask your plumber to use only products that have the Lead Free WaterMark Certification.
After 1 May 2026, if you engage a reputable, licensed plumber to repair or replace your drinking water plumbing, all components will meet the definition of lead-free.
Should I worry about lead in my older plumbing system?
The best way to know for sure what materials were used in your drinking water plumbing is to have a licensed plumber come out to your property for a plumbing system assessment.
However, as a guide, here is the likelihood of lead in your drinking water plumbing by system age:
Pre-1940 – Very likely (lead pipes commonly in use)
Pre-1989 – Likely (lead commonly used in soldering)
Pre-2026 – Possible (higher permissible lead levels which don’t meet Lead Free WaterMark Certification standard).
What can I do about lead and other contaminants in my water?
Before filling your glass, kettle or saucepan, run your tap for a minute or so to clear out the water that has been sitting in the pipes.
Talk to your plumber. They:
can check your existing pipework to verify the type of piping used on your property and replace if required;
will source and install verifiable Lead Free WaterMarked fittings;
can advise on any additional water filtration you may need or want.
Never buy cheap plumbing fittings and products online. You cannot be sure that their Lead Free WaterMark Certification is legitimate, or what other kinds of chemicals are going to be leaching into your drinking water.
Salmon Plumbing can help
Your experienced local Brisbane plumbers, the team at Salmon Plumbing, have been working the city’s pipes since 1991.
We’ve seen it all – and been part of the journey as new regulations have made plumbing systems safer and more efficient over time.
We’ll assess your current system, advise you on any risks and help you get safe drinking water on tap.
