Contaminants
Lead in Tap Water: How to Test for It and Which Filters Reduce It
Lead usually gets into drinking water from the pipes and fixtures between the water main and your glass, not from the treatment plant. That means two homes on the same street can have very different lead levels.
Key takeaways
- The EPA and CDC agree there is no known safe level of lead in a child's blood. The EPA's health goal for lead in water is zero.
- The biggest source is a lead service line. Homes built before 1986 can also have lead solder or brass fixtures.
- The federal lead action level drops from 15 ppb to 10 ppb on November 1, 2027, and most lead service lines must be replaced by 2037.
- Boiling does not remove lead. A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, replaced on schedule, does reduce it.
Where lead in tap water comes from
Lead enters water when plumbing that contains lead corrodes. Where they exist, lead service lines, the pipes connecting a home to the water main, are typically the largest source. They are most common in older cities and in homes built before 1986. In homes without a lead service line, the usual culprits are lead solder and brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fittings.[1]
How much lead dissolves depends on the water's chemistry and temperature, how long the water sits in the pipes, and whether a protective mineral scale has formed inside them.[1]
Why it matters
According to the EPA, low-level lead exposure in children is linked to damage to the nervous system, learning disabilities, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia. The CDC recommends public health action when a child's blood lead level reaches 3.5 µg/dL.[1] Because lead is harmful even at low exposure, the EPA's maximum contaminant level goal for lead is zero.[1]
Pregnant, or mixing infant formula? Use filtered or tested water, and talk to your doctor about a blood lead test if you think you've been exposed.
The federal rules are tightening
Because most lead comes from home plumbing, the EPA regulates it with a treatment technique rather than a simple limit. If more than 10% of sampled homes exceed the action level, the utility must take steps such as corrosion control, public education and pipe replacement.[1]
The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, published in October 2024, make three big changes:[2][3]
- The action level falls from 15 ppb to 10 ppb.
- Most requirements take effect on November 1, 2027. Until then, the earlier rule still applies.[4]
- Utilities must identify and replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines within about 10 years, by 2037 for most systems.[2][4]
An action level is a trigger for utility action, not a safety threshold. A home below 10 ppb can still have lead in its water.
How to test your water
- Ask your utility. Many utilities offer free or low-cost lead testing and can tell you whether your address has a lead service line. Utilities have had to publish service line inventories.
- Use a certified lab if your utility doesn't test. Your state drinking water program can point you to one.
- Take a first-draw sample after water has sat in the pipes for at least six hours. That shows the worst case.
Reduce exposure while you wait
- Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting. How long depends on whether you have a lead service line, so ask your utility.[1]
- Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Hot water dissolves more lead.[1]
- Don't boil water to remove lead. Boiling does not remove it.[1]
- Clean faucet aerators regularly, because lead particles can collect there.[1]
Choosing a filter for lead
The EPA advises using a filter certified to remove lead and replacing it on schedule.[1] In practice that means a product certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction, or a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with lead on its listing.[5]
- Pitchers, faucet-mount and under-sink carbon filters can all be certified for lead. Only some cartridges are, so check the exact cartridge model.
- Lead in water can be dissolved or particulate. Certification testing covers both, which is another reason to rely on the listing rather than marketing copy.
- Write the installation date on the cartridge and replace it at or before its rated gallons.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Brita or PUR filter remove lead?
Some of their filters are certified for lead and some are not. The difference is the cartridge model, not the pitcher or faucet unit. Check the exact model in a certifier's public listing for a lead reduction claim.
Can I see lead in my water?
No. Lead in water has no color, taste or smell. Testing is the only way to know.
Does a water softener remove lead?
Softeners are designed for hardness minerals, and NSF/ANSI 44 certification is about hardness. Don't rely on a softener for lead unless it is specifically certified for lead reduction.
Sources
- US EPA, “Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water”. epa.gov
- US EPA, “Lead and Copper Rule Improvements”. epa.gov
- Federal Register, National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements (LCRI), October 30, 2024. govinfo.gov
- Louisiana Department of Health, “LCRI FAQs,” May 21, 2026. ldh.la.gov
- NSF International, “NSF Standards for Water Treatment Systems”. nsf.org
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Rules and certifications change. We last checked these sources on October 7, 2026. Found an error? Tell us and we will correct it.