Lead in Drinking Water: Check Your City's Lead Levels (2026)
Lead in US drinking water by ZIP. Crisis cities, health risks for children + pregnant women, EPA action level, and lead removal solutions.
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD – Pediatric Environmental Health Reviewer
Quick Answer
Lead enters drinking water through corroded pipes, solder, and brass fixtures – not the water source itself. The EPA action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb); any utility above this must take corrective action. The CDC says there is no safe blood lead level for children. Roughly 10 million US homes still have lead service lines. NSF/ANSI 53 certified filters remove lead at the tap.
Key facts
- EPA action level
- 15 ppb (parts per billion)
- CDC blood lead reference value
- 3.5 µg/dL (no safe level for children)
- US homes with lead service lines
- approximately 10 million
- IIJA funding for lead pipe replacement
- $15 billion (2021-2030)
- Most effective lead filter
- NSF/ANSI 53 certified, 99% lead removal
Frequently asked questions
What is the EPA action level for lead in drinking water?
The EPA action level for lead is 15 parts per billion (ppb). If more than 10% of samples exceed this level, the water system must take corrective action. There is no safe level of lead exposure.
How does lead get into drinking water?
Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, solder, brass fittings, and fixtures in homes built before 1986. It does not come from the water source itself but from the pipes that deliver water to your tap.
Are children more vulnerable to lead in water?
Yes. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily and are especially vulnerable to neurological damage. Even low levels can reduce IQ, cause learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. The CDC says there is no safe blood lead level for children.