Lead can contaminate drinking water through corrosion of pipes and plumbing materials that contain lead. Homes built before 1986 are especially at risk due to older plumbing systems. The risk of lead leaching into water is higher in areas with acidic or low mineral content water. Excessive levels of lead are found in public water supplies in all 50 states, affecting 22 million people or more.
Lead in Drinking Water: Understanding the Risks and Removal Methods
Lead in Water
How Does Lead Get Into Drinking Water?
Lead enters drinking water when plumbing materials containing lead corrode, especially in areas where water has high acidity or low mineral content.
The most common sources of lead in water include:
-
- Lead pipes
- Faucets and plumbing fixtures made before 1986
- Solder used in plumbing
Millions of lead pipes carry drinking water to the homes of 22 million people in the United States
How to Remove Lead from Water
The EPA suggests ways to remove lead in water:
Reverse Osmosis or Distillation.
- Reverse osmosis (RO) - This is a highly efficient method, removing up to 99.1% of lead from water. It’s cost-effective, energy-efficient, and easy to maintain.
- Distillation - Although effective, it’s slow and energy-intensive, making it less ideal for regular household use.
During the reverse osmosis water treatment process, household water pressure pushes water through a series of filters. The membrane in the reverse osmosis system will filter out contaminants, including removing lead from water. Through the RO filtration process, impurities flush away, leaving you with filtered, clean drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis is a highly effective purification process, has a low production cost (only pennies per gallon), consumes no energy, and is easy to clean and maintain. To learn more about how reverse osmosis works, go to our Understanding Reverse Osmosis page.
Does Boiling Water Remove Lead?
No, boiling water does not remove lead; it actually concentrates it. Instead, use a point-of-use filter certified for lead removal to ensure safe drinking water.
To successfully remove lead from water, the CDC site states, "You may wish to consider water treatment methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, and carbon filters specially designed to remove lead.”
How to Test for Lead in Your Water
Contact your local water provider for testing, or use a certified lab to check for lead. Testing is crucial, especially in older homes or areas known to have lead pipes.
Some states and/or utility companies provide residents with a program to pay for water testing and service line replacment. Testing should be done by a certified laboratory.
The EPA requires all community water suppliers to prepare and deliver an annual water quality report for their customers by July 1 of each year. To find your local Consumer Confidence Report, visit the EPA website.
Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a "Lead Check" quiz for your home. You'll simply need a penny (or key) and a magnet.
New EPA Data Shows National Map of Lead Service Lines
The EPA’s 2024 analysis estimates about 9.2 million lead service lines remain in use. This updated lead pipe survey was obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request, prompting the EPA to release parts of it publicly.
While the EPA’s Inspector General criticized the agency for not fully verifying data accuracy, the survey remains the most comprehensive source on lead pipes nationwide. Some states, like Illinois and Michigan, have more reliable data due to detailed inventory requirements, whereas others, like Florida, lack comprehensive data.
Despite limitations, the new national map offers an early glimpse into where lead pipes are located and informs how the EPA allocates funding for lead pipe replacement.
Prevention Tips
- Run cold water for a few minutes if it has been sitting in pipes, especially before using it for drinking or cooking.
- Use only cold tap water for consumption, as hot water can dissolve lead more easily.
- Consider installing a certified RO system to consistently remove lead and other contaminants from your water supply.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of lead exposure in your drinking water, protecting your family's health.
Image below provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.
These 3 filter systems can successfully remove up to 99.1% of lead in your water
Top-Selling Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems
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FAQs About Lead in Water
Is Lead Dangerous for Children?
Lead exposure can cause irreversible harm to children. According to the CDC, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. In fact, low levels of lead exposure in children have been shown to damage the nervous system and brain, causing hearing impairments, learning disabilities and harm to blood cells.
Can Lead in Water Make You Sick?
According to the EPA, lead poses a serious health threat, especially for pregnant women, infants and young children. For example, lead exposure has been linked to the following issues in children:
- delays in physical development
- behavioral problems
- damage growing brains
And when it comes to the health effects of lead in water, adults are also at risk. There is evidence linking lead exposure to kidney problems, high blood pressure, and increased risks of cardiovascular deaths.
Is Lead in Water Dangerous?
Yes. Lead is a toxic metal harmful to human health, especially for children, infants, and pregnant women. It can cause developmental delays, brain damage, and other severe health issues. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children, making it crucial to minimize lead in drinking water.
Can you see, taste, or smell lead in water?
No, lead cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled in drinking water. Testing is the only sure way to determine if there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. Contact your state or local water company for certified laboratories that can test your water, with testing typically costing between $15-$100.
What are the health risks of lead in drinking water?
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems even at low levels. Children six years old and under are most at risk because this is when the brain is developing. Lead exposure in children can cause delays in physical or mental development, learning disabilities, and attention span deficits. Adults who drink lead-contaminated water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
How can I tell if I have lead pipes in my home?
You can identify lead pipes using a scratch test and magnet test. Lead is a dull, soft, non-magnetic material that turns shiny silver when scratched with a coin or key. If a magnet does not stick to the pipe and the scratched area reveals a shiny silver color, the pipe is likely lead. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes or lead solder.
What type of water filter removes lead most effectively?
Water filters certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58 are tested to reduce lead to safe levels. Under-sink systems reverse osmosis units are especially effective at removing lead from drinking water.
How effective is reverse osmosis at removing lead from water?
Reverse osmosis systems can remove up to 99% of lead from drinking water. The semi-permeable membrane filters out particles as small as 0.0001 microns, effectively blocking lead molecules and other contaminants. Residential-grade RO filters provide efficient lead removal, making reverse osmosis one of the most effective solutions for households concerned about lead contamination.
What immediate steps can I take to reduce lead exposure from tap water?
Run your water for at least one minute before using it for drinking or cooking if the water has been sitting for more than six hours, as the more time water sits in pipes, the more lead it may contain. Use only fresh, cold running water for drinking and cooking, install a point-of-use filter certified for lead removal, and regularly clean faucet aerators to remove accumulated sediment and particles.
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