Lead
EPA Limit (MCL)
No MCL
Action Level: 15.000 ppb (0.015 mg/L)
Health Goal (MCLG)
Zero (0)
No level is considered safe
Unit of Measure
mg/L
How concentrations are reported
Lead has no MCL — instead the EPA uses an Action Level (AL) of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If exceeded, utilities must take corrective action.
Health Effects
Developmental delays in children, kidney problems, high blood pressure. No safe level of lead exposure for children.
The EPA has set the health goal (MCLG) at zero, meaning no level of exposure is considered risk-free.
How It Gets Into Water
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
How to Reduce Exposure
- 1Use a NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certified filter; standard pitcher filters (like Brita) may not remove lead
- 2Run cold water for 1–2 minutes if pipes have been unused for 6+ hours
- 3Never cook with or drink hot tap water; heat increases lead leaching
- 4Consider a reverse osmosis system for thorough lead removal
- 5Replace old lead service lines; contact your utility to check
Always look for NSF/ANSI certified filtration products. Certification means the filter has been independently tested to remove the stated contaminants.
States With Lead Violations
Pennsylvania
22,622 total systems
North Carolina
23,923 total systems
New Hampshire
4,131 total systems
New Jersey
14,932 total systems
Ohio
16,365 total systems
Michigan
27,019 total systems
New York
26,516 total systems
California
20,579 total systems
Indiana
9,915 total systems
Minnesota
21,775 total systems
Official EPA Guidance
For authoritative information on Leadin drinking water, visit the EPA's official resource page.
View EPA Guidance ↗