A new study will check for lead contamination in household plumbing systems in New South Wales.

The scientist conducting the study says he does expect to find something.

Macquarie University researcher Paul Harvey will visit Country Women's Association halls in the Eurobodalla, Bega Valley Bungendore and Jindabyne to test their water.

Mr Harvey said the study was prompted by signs that lead was leeching off pipes and internal plumbing.

The problem appears to be present in both old and new homes.

'”Some of the samples that I've already collected from central west New South Wales and then far west New South Wales have actually had lead content as one element that we were looking at,'” he told the ABC.

“This could potentially indicate that during other parts of the year we might be getting higher leeching levels off the pipes so there is potential for there to be lead leeching off pipes on the south coast.”

Mr Harvey said it was not limited to ageing pipes.

“There was a study done in New South Wales, so in Sydney, which actually showed basically six month old homes having issues with lead leeching off fixtures and fittings into new plumbing systems,” he said.

“So it can range and it seems to depend more so on the water chemistry, so pH for example, than it does particularly on age or location of the home.”

Households that want water tested for lead can contact Macquarie University.