Warning on lead levels in 12,000 Aldi taps

TESTS on water run through a cheap Aldi tap from China have found up to 15 times the maximum allowable level of lead.

An estimated 12,000 households that bought an Easy Home spiral spring mixer – 3000 of which are in Queensland – are being warned against using it for drinking or cooking.

“There is a cause for concern,” said Brett Bassett, head of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, which identified the threat and commissioned the testing.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also cautioned against using the $79.99 tap and said it had begun an investigation.

“If there is a risk that consumer goods may cause injury, the ACCC expects suppliers and manufacturers to put voluntary recalls in place to protect consumers,” a spokesman said.

Master Plumbers Australia national secretary Penny Cornah said this was “huge”.

“That’s 12,000 homes that have been installed. How many people live in those homes?”

The test results are surprising as the tap came in below levels when certified against the Australian standard.

The tests for the QBCC were done by Queensland Health’s Forensic and Scientific Services unit using a single tap. Further testing will be done, including by breaking a tap to find out how much lead is in the brass parts.

A spokeswoman for Aldi declined to answer questions.