New Zealand is making an important shift toward safer drinking water and Assist Trade Services is fully behind it. With new lead-free plumbing legislation coming into effect, homeowners and the plumbing industry alike will see some big benefits. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how ATS is helping customers get ready.
What’s Changing with Lead-free plumbing?
From 1 May 2026, the revised Building Code Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 will require all plumbing products that come into contact with potable (drinking) water to be “lead-free.”
This includes:
- Taps
- Valves
- Fittings
- Copper-alloy components
- Any other plumbing product that carries drinking water
To be compliant, these products must contain a weighted average lead content of 0.25% or less.
Additionally, from the same date:
- Copper-alloy components used under pressure must be dezincification-resistant (DR brass) to help prevent corrosion and system failure.
These changes bring New Zealand in line with best-practice international standards, and they’re designed to protect both health and the long-term performance of plumbing systems.
What Lead-Free Plumbing Means for Homeowners
1. Safer Drinking Water
The biggest advantage is improved health protection. Reducing lead in plumbing fixtures dramatically lowers the risk of lead leaching into your household water.
This is especially important for:
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- Families using older plumbing systems
Even small amounts of lead exposure can accumulate over time, so this change is a major step forward for safer homes.
2. Future-Proofing Your Property
If you’re:
- Building a new home
- Renovating
- Upgrading a kitchen or bathroom
- Replacing taps, valves, or fittings
—you’ll want to ensure all products meet the lead-free (and where applicable, DR brass) standards. Using non-compliant products after May 2026 will put your home out of code, and may affect consent sign-off or insurance requirements.
3. Confidence in Your Plumber
Choosing a plumbing team who understands the legislation is crucial.
Homeowners should expect:
- Certified, compliant materials
- Clear guidance on product choices
- Work that meets the updated Building Code requirements
And importantly — you don’t need to panic if your existing plumbing is working well. Homes aren’t required to rip out current systems. But when maintenance, replacements, or upgrades are needed, newer, safer products will be installed.
What It Means for the Trade (Including Us at ATS)
The new standards require the industry to lift its game — something we fully support.
At Assist Trade Services, we’re already:
1. Sourcing Fully Compliant Products
We work only with trusted manufacturers and suppliers who provide certified lead-free and DR-brass components. This ensures every part we install meets or exceeds the new requirements.
2. Advising Homeowners on Older Fixtures
Older plumbing doesn’t automatically need replacing — but some fittings are more prone to lead leaching or dezincification. We can assess what’s in place and help you decide whether an upgrade is worthwhile.
3. Ensuring Full Building Code Compliance
Our team stays up to date with all regulatory updates, manufacturer changes, and best-practice standards, so every job we complete is safe, durable, and compliant.
Why ATS Supports the Lead-Free Plumbing Legislation
As Master Plumbers, our role is to safeguard the quality and safety of the water that enters your home. The upcoming legislation aligns directly with our values:
- Better health protection for families
- Reduced long-term plumbing failures
- More durable, corrosion-resistant systems
- Higher-quality workmanship across the industry
These changes aren’t just about new rules — they’re about delivering cleaner, safer water and stronger plumbing systems for future generations.
Need Advice or an Assessment?
Whether you’re planning a renovation, replacing old tapware, or simply wanting peace of mind about your current system, we’re here to help.
ATS can provide:
- A full inspection of your plumbing fixtures
- Guidance on whether replacements are recommended
- Installation of certified lead-free and DR-brass components
- A clear, obligation-free assessment and quote
Get in touch today and our team will help make sure your home is ready for the new lead-free plumbing standard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lead-Free Plumbing
No. The new regulations only apply to new installations, replacements, and renovations after 1 May 2026. If your current system is working well, you don’t need to replace it — but any future upgrades will need to be lead-free and compliant.
“Lead-free” means the weighted average lead content in any plumbing product that carries drinking water must be 0.25% or less. This includes taps, valves, fittings, and copper-alloy parts.
DR brass (dezincification-resistant brass) is a high-quality alloy that resists corrosion and prevents failures in pressurised plumbing systems. From May 2026, any copper-alloy fittings used under pressure must be made from DR brass.
Ask your plumber to confirm that any new fixtures installed are certified lead-free and DR-brass where required. Assist Trade Services only uses compliant, independently certified products.
Yes. Older plumbing fixtures can slowly leach lead into household water over time. While the risk is usually low, the new standards significantly reduce exposure — especially important for families with children.
Let your plumber know you're planning ahead for the 2026 standards. ATS can recommend fully compliant tap ware and fittings so your renovation is future-proofed and up to code immediately.
