Quick answer: The most effective ways to remove lead from drinking water are filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction, including many carbon block filters, and reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58. Boiling does not remove lead. Test your water first, and run the cold tap for a minute before using water that has sat in the pipes.
Lead contamination in drinking water remains a concern in older infrastructure, highlighted by events like the Flint Water Crisis. While regulations have reduced new sources, aging pipes and fixtures can still introduce lead into tap water. If you’re wondering how to remove lead from water at home, the proven water filtration methods below provide reliable solutions.
What is the best way to remove lead from water?The most effective ways to remove lead from water are reverse osmosis systems, lead reduction carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53, and distillation. These methods reduce lead at the point of use, right where you get your drinking water. Boiling water does not remove lead and can actually increase its concentration.
- Reverse osmosis systems (NSF/ANSI 58 certified) remove dissolved lead using a semipermeable membrane
- Lead reduction rated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53
- Distillation removes lead by separating water from contaminants through vaporization
Yes, some older homes still use lead plumbing, and some older cities use supply lines that contain lead. Lead plumbing is more common in homes built before the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in 1986, which banned pipes, solder and flux that were not lead free. Many cities stopped installing lead service lines decades earlier, but lead service lines are still the most significant source of lead in water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result, you could still have lead in your tap water even if your home’s pipes contain no lead.
How lead gets into drinking waterLead enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of plumbing materials, including lead pipes, service lines, brass fixtures and solder in older plumbing systems. When water sits in these materials, especially water that is acidic (low pH) or low in minerals, lead can leach into the water. No level of lead exposure is considered safe.
- Lead service lines
- Corroded pipes and solder
- Brass or chrome-plated fixtures
What is a lead service line?
A service line is the pipe that runs from the water main under the street to your home. Many older service lines are made of lead. The EPA estimates there are still about 4 million lead service lines in use in the United States. Federal funding is helping water systems replace them, and a 2024 EPA rule requires most water systems to replace lead service lines within 10 years.
How to identify lead pipes
If you’re not sure whether your pipes are made of lead, check where the water line enters your home, usually near the water meter. Gently scratch the outside of the pipe with a coin or screwdriver. Lead pipe is soft, and the scratch will look shiny and silver. A magnet also won’t stick to lead pipe. Copper pipe scratches to a copper color, and galvanized steel pipe will attract a magnet.
Testing your water is the best way to know for sure. Even if your pipes aren’t lead, lead can still come from your service line, solder or fixtures.
Health risks of lead in drinking waterExposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects, especially for children and pregnant women. Even low levels of exposure can build up in the body over time.
Children
- Developmental delays and learning difficulties
- Behavioral issues and attention problems
- Hearing and speech problems
- Anemia
Adults
- High blood pressure and cardiovascular issues
- Kidney damage
- Reproductive problems
Pregnant women
- Increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Harm to the baby’s brain, kidneys and nervous system
Testing is the only way to confirm lead in drinking water, since it has no taste, smell or color. Home water test kits are good for an initial screening, and a certified lab gives the most precise results.
- Collect a first-draw sample (water that has sat in the pipes for 6+ hours)
- Collect a flushed sample after running the water for 2 to 3 minutes
- Use a home water test kit for initial screening
- Send samples to a certified lab for precise measurement
Learn more: Lab water tests vs at-home water test kits | How to test your water at home with a water test kit
Lead removal methodsReverse osmosis systems
Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective ways to remove lead from water. These systems use a semipermeable membrane with extremely small pores (around 0.0001 microns) to block dissolved contaminants like lead and other heavy metals while letting clean water through.
Reverse osmosis systems are usually installed under the sink for drinking water, but countertop systems are also available for renters or homes where installation isn’t an option. Look for NSF/ANSI 58 certification and a performance data sheet that lists lead reduction.
Activated carbon filters rated for lead reduction
Standard carbon filters don’t reliably remove lead. Lead-rated carbon block filters include special lead reduction media that captures dissolved lead, while the tight carbon block traps particles of lead. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead. These lead reduction filters are commonly used in under-sink and faucet-mounted systems.
Distillation
Distillation heats water into steam and then condenses it back into liquid, leaving lead behind. It’s effective but slow, so it’s best for smaller amounts of water.
Pipe replacement
Replacing lead pipes and fixtures is the most permanent solution because it removes the source. However, it can be costly and won’t help if the lead is coming from the city’s side of the service line.
What about whole-house filters?
Whole-house (point-of-entry) systems are great for treating all the water in your home, but they aren’t the best choice when the lead is coming from your home’s pipes or fixtures. That plumbing sits after the whole-house filter, so lead can get back into the water before it reaches your faucet. For lead, a point-of-use filter at the kitchen tap is the most reliable option.
Does boiling water remove lead?No, boiling water does not remove lead. Boiling kills many microorganisms, but as water evaporates, it leaves lead and other metals behind in a smaller amount of water, which increases the concentration. Lead also dissolves faster in hot water, so always use cold water for drinking and cooking.
Which lead removal system is right for you?| System type | Removes lead? | Certification to look for | Best for | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis | Yes | NSF/ANSI 58 | Drinking water | Filter and membrane changes |
| Carbon filters | Yes, if certified | NSF/ANSI 53 | Point-of-use filtration | Cartridge replacement |
| Distillation | Yes | NSF/ANSI 62 | Small-batch purification | Cleaning and energy use |
| Whole-house systems | Limited | Varies | General filtration | System servicing |
The ideal fix is to replace your home’s lead plumbing with lead-free materials, but that isn’t practical for many homeowners. The next best step is to install a point-of-use filter certified for lead, like a reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53 carbon filter, at the faucet you use for drinking and cooking.
Until a permanent solution is in place:
- Flush your water: If water has sat for a few hours, run the cold tap for at least 2 minutes before drinking or cooking.
- Use only cold water: Never drink or cook with hot tap water.
- Clean your faucet aerators: Lead particles can collect in the screens.
- Bathe normally: Lead in water isn’t absorbed through skin, so showering and handwashing are fine.
What are the symptoms of lead in your water?
Lead in water usually has no taste or smell, so you won’t notice it. Health effects from long-term exposure include developmental delays in children and high blood pressure or kidney problems in adults. Testing is the only way to know.
How does reverse osmosis remove lead from water?
It forces water through a semipermeable membrane that blocks heavy metals like lead.
Does a Brita filter remove lead?
Some models do, but only those certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction. Check the packaging or performance data sheet.
What are government standards for lead in drinking water?
The EPA’s health goal for lead is zero. The current action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb), and a 2024 EPA rule lowers it to 10 ppb starting in 2027. See the EPA for the latest.
Can a whole-house filter remove lead?
Some whole-house filters are certified to reduce lead, but they won’t help if the lead comes from pipes or fixtures inside your home, after the filter. For lead from home plumbing, use a point-of-use filter at your kitchen tap.
I just moved into a house with a new well. How do I make the water safe?
Start with a certified lab test for bacteria, nitrates, lead, arsenic and other common well contaminants. Then choose treatment based on the results. If lead shows up, it’s often from acidic water corroding plumbing, which an acid neutralizer can help with, plus a point-of-use filter for drinking water.
Do water softeners remove lead?
No. Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium to prevent limescale. They aren’t designed to reduce lead. Use reverse osmosis, distillation or a certified lead reduction carbon filter instead. Learn more: What is a water softener?
Do low lead levels in my local water quality report mean I’m safe?
Not necessarily. Water can pick up lead from service lines and home plumbing after it leaves the treatment plant. Learn more: How to read your water quality report
Who owns my home’s water service line?
In many communities, the water company owns the line from the main to the meter, and the homeowner owns the line from the meter to the home. This varies, so check with your local water company.
What does a lead removal system cost?
Costs range from about $50 for certified filters to several hundred dollars for reverse osmosis systems.
Protect your home from lead exposureTesting your water and finding possible sources of lead, like older plumbing or fixtures, are the first steps. Installing NSF-certified filtration, like reverse osmosis or certified carbon filters, reduces lead at the point of use, and ongoing testing makes sure you stay protected. Explore reverse osmosis systems to find a reliable solution for your home.
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
