Is lead in drinking water a widespread problem in the U.S.?

Yes. The EPA estimates that lead plumbing materials — including lead service lines, lead solder, and lead-containing brass fixtures — are present in millions of homes across the country. Lead does not come from the source water; it leaches into water from plumbing materials between the treatment plant and the tap.

What is the legal limit for lead in U.S. drinking water?

The EPA's lead action level is 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L). However, the EPA and CDC have established that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for lead is zero.

How does lead get into drinking water?

Lead rarely comes from source water. It enters water as it sits in or moves through lead service lines (the pipe connecting a building to the water main), lead solder used in copper plumbing before it was banned in 1986, and older brass fixtures and faucets that contain lead. Water that is soft, acidic, or low in mineral content is more likely to dissolve lead from these materials.

Who is most at risk from lead in drinking water?

Infants and children under six are at the greatest risk because their developing nervous systems are particularly sensitive to lead. Pregnant residents also face elevated concern. Anyone living in a home built before 1986 — when lead solder was banned — faces higher risk than those in newer construction.

What type of filter removes lead from drinking water?

Filters certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 (solid block activated carbon) or Standard 58 (reverse osmosis) are verified to reduce lead. Look for NSF certification — not just a claim. Pitcher filters, under-sink filters, and whole-house filters must have a specific NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification for lead reduction.

Should I flush my tap before drinking water?

EPA recommends flushing the cold-water tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if the water has been sitting in pipes for 6 or more hours. This is a temporary mitigation measure — not a replacement for addressing service line or plumbing issues.

How do I find out if my utility has a lead service line to my home?

Under the revised Lead and Copper Rule, water utilities are required to provide customers with information about whether a lead service line connects their home to the water main. Contact your utility and request your address-level service line material status. Many utilities post inventories online.

High Risk LevelHeavy Metals

Lead in Drinking Water

Q: Does boiling water remove lead?

No. Boiling does not remove lead and can actually concentrate it by reducing water volume. To reduce lead, use a certified point-of-use filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58) or flush the cold-water tap for at least 30 seconds before using water for drinking or cooking if the water has been sitting in pipes.

Lead does not come from water sources — it enters water from aging pipes, service lines, and plumbing materials inside and outside the home. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.

Source: EPA, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01 · Data: official EPA SDWIS records

Quick Answer

Is lead in drinking water a real concern?

Yes. EPA estimates that lead plumbing materials are present in millions of U.S. homes. Lead leaches into water from lead service lines, lead solder in pre-1986 plumbing, and older brass fixtures. The CDC and EPA have determined there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for lead is zero.

Key Facts

EPA Action Level	15 µg/L (micrograms per liter)
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)	Zero — no safe level established
Primary source	Lead service lines, pre-1986 lead solder, brass fixtures — not source water
Highest-risk group	Children under six, infants, pregnant residents
Does boiling help?	No — boiling concentrates lead. Use a certified filter.
Effective treatment	NSF/ANSI 53 (activated carbon) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis)
Pre-1986 homes	Most likely to contain lead solder or lead-containing brass fittings
Federal rule	Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) — service line inventories required

How Lead Gets Into Drinking Water

Lead service lines

The pipe that connects a building to the water main may be made of lead — especially in homes built before 1986. These lines can leach lead throughout the day, particularly when water has been sitting in them.

Lead solder and fittings

Lead solder was commonly used to join copper pipes until it was banned for potable water systems in 1986. Homes built before that date may still have lead solder at joints and connections.

Brass faucets and valves

Older brass faucets, valves, and fixtures can contain significant amounts of lead. Even 'lead-free' fixtures sold before 2014 were allowed to contain up to 8% lead under the federal standard.

Water chemistry

Soft, acidic, or low-alkalinity water is more corrosive and dissolves lead from plumbing materials more readily. Utilities use corrosion control treatment (such as orthophosphate) to reduce leaching, but household plumbing beyond the meter is not treated.

Who Should Pay Closest Attention

Families with children under six

Pregnant residents

Households in homes built before 1986

Renters who cannot inspect building plumbing

Households with a lead service line on record

Anyone who recently had plumbing work done (disturbance increases short-term risk)

How to Check Your Situation

1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or via your state page.
2
Read your utility's page on this site — it shows recent violations and risk level based on EPA data.
3
Contact your utility to ask for your address-level service line material status. Under the LCRR, utilities must maintain this inventory.
4
Review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which must be sent to customers annually.
5
Consider testing your tap water. Look for a state-certified lab — your state health department maintains a list.
6
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider installing a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 filter as a precautionary measure while you gather information.

Treatment Options

Lead is not removed by boiling. Effective household treatment requires a certified filter. Look for NSF/ANSI certification — a claim that a filter removes lead is not the same as a certified result.

NSF/ANSI Standard 53 — Activated Carbon Block Filters

Under-sink or pitcher filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 are verified to reduce lead at the tap. This is the most accessible residential option. Replace filters according to manufacturer schedule.

NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis

RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 95–99% of lead and a broad range of other contaminants. Under-sink installation required. More comprehensive but higher cost than Standard 53 systems.

Flushing — a temporary mitigation step only

EPA recommends flushing the cold tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water that has sat in pipes for 6+ hours. This is not a substitute for addressing service line or plumbing issues.

Utilities With Lead Violation Records

Utilities listed below have at least one lead violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status.

New York City System

NY · 8,271,000 served

safe

City of Houston

TX · 2,970,543 served

safe

Chicago

IL · 2,746,388 served

safe

Mdwasa - Main System

FL · 2,377,460 served

safe