Lead
Lead in water explained: where it comes from, health risks, EPA action level (15 PPB, dropping to 10 PPB in 2027), how to test your tap, and the best filters for lead removal.
Lead in drinking water comes from pipes, solder, and fixtures, not the water supply. There is no safe level of lead exposure. The EPA action level is 15 PPB (dropping to 10 PPB under the 2024 LCRI, effective November 2027). The health goal is zero. Children and pregnant women are most vulnerable. Under-sink reverse osmosis or NSF 53 certified filters are the most effective home treatments.
What is Lead?
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that was widely used in plumbing materials until 1986. It enters drinking water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder joints in copper plumbing, and brass fixtures and fittings. Lead does not typically come from the water source itself but from the infrastructure that delivers it to your tap.
Is Lead Dangerous?
Lead exposure affects virtually every organ system. In children, even low levels of lead cause irreversible neurological damage, reduced IQ, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and slowed growth. In adults, lead exposure is associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, reproductive harm, and increased blood pressure. The CDC states there is no safe blood lead level in children.
EPA action level is 15 PPB. The 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) lowers this to 10 PPB effective November 1, 2027. This is not a safe level; it triggers required action by the utility. The health goal is zero.
How to Identify Lead in Your Water
Lead cannot be detected by sight, taste, or smell. A first-draw test (collecting water first thing in the morning after 6+ hours of no use) gives the worst-case exposure reading. Home test kits ($15 to $30) provide yes/no results. Certified lab tests ($25 to $100) provide precise PPB measurements.
How Lead Is Regulated
The EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), finalized in 2024, lowers the action level from 15 PPB to 10 PPB effective November 1, 2027. The current action level remains 15 PPB until that date. This is not a maximum contaminant level. It means that if more than 10% of tap water samples in a system exceed the action level, the utility must take corrective action. The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for lead is zero. The LCRI requires utilities to inventory all service lines and replace lead service lines within 10 years.
| Standard | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Action Level | 15 PPB | EPA action level is 15 PPB. The 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) lowers this to 10 PPB effective November 1, 2027. This is not a safe level; it triggers required action by the utility. The health goal is zero. |
| MCLG (Health Goal) | 0 PPB | EPA health goal is zero; no safe level |
How to Remove Lead
- Reverse Osmosis Recommended — 95% to 99% removal · Single tap
- Under-Sink Carbon Block (NSF 53) — 95%+ removal when NSF 53 certified for lead · Single tap
- Pitcher Filter (NSF 53) — Varies by model, requires NSF 53 certification for lead · Drinking water only
Lead Levels in US Cities
| City | State | Level | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin | IL | 51.1 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Moore | OK | 40.0 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Troy | NY | 34.7 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Peoria | IL | 25.0 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Libertyville | IL | 24.5 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Missoula | MT | 22.0 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Garden City | NY | 20.0 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Livonia | MI | 16.7 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Albany | NY | 16.1 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Medford | MA | 15.5 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Cheyenne | WY | 15.0 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Palatine | IL | 15.0 PPB | Above Action Level |
| Surprise | AZ | 14.1 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Durham | NC | 14.0 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Durham South | NC | 14.0 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Minot | ND | 13.5 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Sitka | AK | 13.0 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Sandy | OR | 13.0 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Lake Worth | FL | 13.0 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
| Omaha | NE | 12.3 PPB | Above Upcoming Standard (2027) |
Top 20 of 168 cities above 5 PPB in our database of 1000 cities. Look up your city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does boiling remove lead?
Does a whole-house filter remove lead?
How do I know if I have lead pipes?
Sources
- CDC Lead in Drinking Water — Health effects
- EPA Lead Service Line Inventory — Service line count
- EPA Lead and Copper Rule — Regulation
Related
Guides: Best Water Filters for Lead
Problems: Lead
Other Contaminants: Arsenic
Treatment: Reverse Osmosis · Under-Sink Carbon Block (NSF 53) · Pitcher Filter (NSF 53)