PUBLIC health experts have said residents with lead contaminated water in Parkhall would need to drink “gallons” of the substance to become ill.

It comes two weeks after the Post reported concerns of residents who discovered their drinking water had illegal amounts of lead in it.

A mum explained how medical staff told her not to bathe her newborn baby in it after she told them of the contamination.

Residents issued a warning to others after discovering their fresh water had illegal amounts of lead in the water — which can cause a number of health problems.

However, an NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokeswoman said: “While the level is just above the recommended level, people would need to drink gallons of tap water over a prolonged period to cause any harm. The water is also perfectly safe for bathing and it is unfortunate that misinformation was given to the new mum.”

The use of lead piping for water was phased out in the 1960s, and made illegal in 1969 due to the poisonous properties of the element.

Three properties spread across Parkhall were found to be affected, leading residents to speculate others could be too. 

Although West Dunbartonshire Council did not disclose information on the issue requested by The Post – such as numbers of reports, prior knowledge of the issue and details of prior replacement programmes – the local authority said there has been an “extensive lead replacement programme” carried out a number of years ago on ‘most of its stock’.

Businesswoman Karen McFall, a resident affected, bought her house from the council in 2005.

She said: “It’s obvious the council will try to downplay this and pull wool over people’s eyes because think how much money it would cost them to replace dozens of blocks worth of lead piping around Parkhall.”

Private owner Karen McFall’s cousin Jaquie McFarlane reported her high lead levels and as a result the council replaced her own and five other neighbours’ lead pipes.

Council tenant Erin O’Neill, a bank worker, was told not to bathe her newborn baby in the water, although health officials have since said this advice was too extensive. After reporting the problem in November works have not yet began on her home.

She said: “It’s extremely stressful, and costing a fortune buying milk for the baby.”

Councillor Denis Agnew said: “What I’d say it’s better to be safe than sorry, and you can’t have a cavalier approach to anything that may harm an individual — especially if its vulnerable person, elderly or an infant. 

“There was money available for people to get the changeover, and I think it is good and well for this matter to be pursued to a 100 per cent record. No one is speaking out against this to be mischievous — it is a genuine concern.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesman said: “The council will investigate any reports of suspected lead pipes and take appropriate action. The council meets the cost of replacing pipes in all of its properties, and a grant is available to private owners to cover 50 per cent of the cost.”

Scottish Water said it would carry out tests but insisted the council could too, and that the lead service pipes are outwith its area of responsibility.