South West Water has partnered with the University of Exeter to develop an upgraded model that predicts the location of lead pipes across its network.

The initiative, delivered through the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW), forms a key part of the company’s five-year lead strategy, which aims to remove between 20,000 and 40,000 lead pipes. It also supports South West Water’s long-term ambition to become completely lead-free by 2050.

The new model builds on the company's existing lead pipe database but incorporates additional data sources and machine learning techniques. This allows it to adapt and improve as more field data becomes available, helping teams target areas most likely to contain lead and reducing unnecessary disruption for customers.

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Phase 1 of the project is underway in Exeter and Plymouth, where the model is being tested against real-world findings. Early results indicate it is already helping focus replacement works more efficiently. The first phase will complete at the end of October, followed immediately by Phase 2, which will enhance usability and extend the model across the wider Pennon Group, including Bristol Water and SES Water.

Although lead pipes have not been installed for decades, some older properties remain connected by them. While South West Water currently manages this through chemical treatment, the upgraded model will enable the company to phase out lead pipes more effectively, improving water quality, reducing reliance on treatment chemicals, and cutting environmental impact.

The project is supported by Ofwat's Green Recovery Programme, which funds initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for customers and the environment.