Old pipes are to blame for abnormally high levels of lead contamination in northeast Tasmanian domestic drinking water, a study shows.
Research undertaken by Macquarie University, due to be released on Tuesday, has found the towns of Pioneer and Ringarooma have water lead levels well above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline.
It is the result of dilapidated infrastructure including lead-jointed pipelines and end-of-life household plumbing, report lead author Paul Harvey said.
"The study results show that the drinking water is being inadvertently contaminated by ageing infrastructure, and is a public health issue that warrants immediate intervention to limit the burden of disease from lead exposure," he said.
International research has found that lead toxicity can lead to renal damage, anaemia and neuropathy.
"Solutions to this problem are likely to involve the refurbishment of infrastructure ... whether it be replacing or lining the pipes," Mr Harvey said.
He has been studying the contamination of drinking water in Tasmania and NSW for several years and said the extent of the problem remains unknown.
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