Lead
Category: inorganic
EPA Action Level
0.015 mg/L
Action level under Lead & Copper Rule (not a traditional MCL)
Status
EPA Regulated
NSF Standard
NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 58
Health Effects
In children: delays in physical and mental development, learning difficulties, lower IQ, attention deficit problems. In adults: kidney problems, high blood pressure, reproductive issues. No safe level of lead exposure has been identified.
Where It Comes From
Corrosion of household plumbing systems containing lead pipes, solder, or fixtures. Also enters water from natural erosion of deposits.
Where It's Commonly Found
Homes built before 1986 with lead service lines, lead solder, or brass fixtures. Urban areas with aging infrastructure. EPA regulates via the Lead and Copper Rule (action level, not MCL).
An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines remain in the U.S. Approximately 1.5–2% of households may have elevated lead levels. Tens of millions of Americans potentially exposed.
How to Remove It
Effective Technologies
- reverse osmosis
- carbon block
- distillation
- ion exchange
- KDF
Does NOT Remove It
- activated carbon
- UV
- mechanical filtration
Filters That Address Lead
22 filters in our database list Lead reduction.
Brita Tahoe Elite
pitcher
$41.99
$39.98/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
PUR PLUS 7-Cup
pitcher
$21.74
$59.94/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
pitcher
$90
$165/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Epic Water Filters Pure Pitcher
pitcher
$70
$212/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
ZeroWater 10-Cup
pitcher
$34.99
$107.94/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
LifeStraw Home 7-Cup
pitcher
$44.95
$126.65/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Epic Water Filters Nano
pitcher
$82
$138/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Berkey Big Berkey
gravity
$367
$10/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Official Sources
Related Contaminants
Learn More
Check if Lead is in your water
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Enter Your ZIP Code →Informational guidance based on EPA data and NSF standards - not medical advice.