Lead in Tap Water Action Plan: Test, Flush, Filter, Replace

EPA says the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water is zero because lead can be harmful even at low exposure levels. If lead is a concern, treat it as a source and plumbing question, not a taste issue.

Start with testing, identify whether lead may come from a service line, solder, fixtures, or internal plumbing, then choose certified filtration for the exact use case while longer-term replacement is evaluated.

Filters must be certified for lead reduction and maintained according to the product instructions.

Use current primary sources before making health or water-quality decisions. For this topic, start with EPA, CDC, NSF, or the product certification database that applies to the exact filter model.

Lead cannot be reliably identified by taste, smell, or appearance. If a result or local notice raises a concern, use a known safe source for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula while you arrange testing and confirm the right interim steps with local health officials.

Use cold tap water for consumption and follow the instructions from your water provider or health department. Boiling water does not remove lead.

Lead can enter water through service lines, solder, faucets, valves, or other plumbing materials. Sampling technique matters because a first-draw sample can answer a different question from a flushed sample. Ask the laboratory or water provider what the collection method is intended to measure.

If several fixtures produce different results, test or evaluate them separately. A single under-sink filter may protect drinking and cooking water without treating every tap, while plumbing replacement addresses the source more directly.

Look for a certification mark and an explicit lead-reduction claim for the exact model and cartridge. NSF/ANSI 53 is commonly associated with health-related reduction claims, but the standard number by itself is not enough; verify the contaminant claim in the performance data sheet or certification listing.

A certified filter still needs correct installation, adequate flow, and replacement at the stated capacity or time limit. Record the installation date and do not treat an overdue cartridge as a reliable safeguard.

The EPA consumer tool explains how to identify point-of-use and pitcher filters evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body for lead reduction. Use it alongside your water provider information and the product performance data sheet.