Lead
A toxic heavy metal that typically enters drinking water through corroding pipes, faucets, and solder — not from the water source itself.
Source
Lead service lines, brass fixtures, and lead solder in older homes (pre-1986).
Health Risk
No safe level of lead exposure. Can cause developmental delays in children, and kidney and blood pressure problems in adults.
Filter Tip
Use an NSF 53-certified filter designed for lead removal. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if water has been sitting.
Lead is one of the most dangerous contaminants in drinking water, and unlike most contaminants, it typically enters water after it leaves the treatment plant — through corroding lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures in your home or building.
The EPA's action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb), but health authorities agree there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for children. The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for lead is zero.
Why Is Lead So Dangerous?
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in the body over time. The CDC eliminated its "level of concern" for blood lead in children in 2012, affirming that no level is safe. Children are especially vulnerable because their developing brains absorb lead more readily:
- Developmental delays and learning disabilities — studies show even low-level exposure is associated with reduced IQ (estimated 1-3 IQ points lost per 1 mcg/dL increase in blood lead)
- Behavioral problems including ADHD-like symptoms
- Damage to the brain and nervous system that may be irreversible
- Kidney damage in adults
- High blood pressure and cardiovascular effects
- Reproductive problems including reduced sperm count and miscarriage risk
How Does Lead Get Into Tap Water?
Lead enters drinking water through corrosion of plumbing materials, not from the water source. The most common sources are:
- Lead service lines: An estimated 9.2 million homes in the US still have lead service lines connecting them to the water main, according to the EPA
- Lead solder: Used in copper plumbing before it was banned in 1986
- Brass faucets and fixtures: May contain up to 8% lead (reduced to 0.25% after the 2014 Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act)
The Flint, Michigan water crisis (2014-2019) demonstrated how changes in water chemistry can dramatically increase lead leaching from pipes, exposing over 100,000 residents to dangerous lead levels.
Lead and Copper Rule
The EPA regulates lead through the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), originally established in 1991 and revised in 2021. Under the revised rule, utilities with action level exceedances must replace lead service lines at an accelerated rate. In 2024, the EPA proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would require all lead service lines to be replaced within 10 years.
How to Reduce Lead in Your Water
- NSF 53-Certified Filter: The most accessible solution. Pitcher, faucet-mount, and under-sink filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead are widely available ($20-$150). Brands include Brita Longlast/Elite, PUR, Clearly Filtered, and ZeroWater.
- Reverse Osmosis: Highly effective at removing lead (95-99%). Under-sink systems cost $150-$500.
- Run Cold Water: Let water run for 30-60 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Use only cold water for cooking and drinking — hot water dissolves more lead from pipes.
- Lead Service Line Replacement: The permanent solution. Check with your utility about replacement programs — many are federally funded.
Testing your water is the only way to know your home's lead levels, since lead contamination varies house to house. Home test kits cost $20-$50, or you can request a free test from many utilities.
Lead Levels in US Cities
Based on verified municipal water quality reports (Consumer Confidence Reports) from 23 cities.
Detected Within Limits (19)
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of lead in water is safe?
There is no safe level of lead exposure. The EPA action level of 15 ppb triggers required actions by water utilities, but health effects can occur below this level. The EPA's MCLG (health goal) is zero. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school drinking water contain less than 1 ppb.
How do I know if I have lead pipes?
Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder or lead service lines. You can check by scratching the pipe with a coin — lead is soft and turns shiny silver. Your water utility may also have records of service line materials and is required to provide a lead service line inventory. A home water test is the most reliable way to check your actual lead exposure.
Does a Brita filter remove lead?
Some Brita filters are certified to reduce lead (look for NSF 53 certification on the packaging). The Brita Longlast and Brita Elite filters are certified for lead reduction, but the basic Brita Standard filter is not. PUR and ZeroWater filters are also certified for lead.
Does boiling water remove lead?
No. Boiling water does not remove lead — it actually concentrates it as water evaporates. Use a certified filter or bottled water instead.
Related Contaminants
Copper
A metal that enters water primarily through corrosion of household copper plumbing.
Arsenic
A naturally occurring element found in rock and soil that can dissolve into groundwater.
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
A toxic form of chromium made famous by the Erin Brockovich case. Can occur naturally or from industrial pollution.