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Lead
About the Project
Home > Education > Contaminants & Risks > ​Drinking Water Contaminants > Lead​​
Quick Facts
  • Contaminant Type: Chemical - Inorganic; often connected to pipe corrosion. Lead imparts no taste, odor or color into the water and thus is only detected by qualified personnel and specific laboratory analyses.
  • Can Cause: Cardiovascular effects, impaired development, ADHD, decreased kidney function, reproductive problems (men and women)
  • Risk Factors: Amount ingested (although there are risks associated with cumulative low-dose exposures), length of exposure, immune status, age (children at higher risk)
  • Treatment Options: Flushing faucets that are not used for 6+ hours and point-of-use (POU) filtration certified for lead reduction
WQRF Research

The study, Cost-benefits of Point-of-Use Devices in Reduction of Health Risks from Drinking Water, found the calculated lifetime loss to the Flint, MI community from lead exposure is $435M, whereas it would have cost $11M to fund a 5-year strategy supplying POU activated carbon filters with lead adsorption capabilities, or $26M for a 5-year POU reverse osmosis (RO) intervention strategy. 
About Lead
As evidenced by national media headlines, congressional hearings, and town hall meetings, concern over lead contamination in the US continues to rise. Since the lead drinking water exposure disaster in Flint, MI, there has been an increased focus on drinking water supplies and safety. Lead crises similar to the one in Flint have occurred with some regularity in numerous US cities. In multiple instances, changes in water treatment practices resulted in increased corrosion of pipes, resulting in unsafe levels of lead leaching from the distribution channels. 

Homes built prior to 1986 likely have lead pipes, fixtures, or solder. Solders commonly contained about 50-percent lead until 1986. Even if these items were labeled lead-free, small amounts of lead are still allowed. Lead imparts no taste, odor or color and thus is only detected by qualified personnel and specific laboratory analyses. If the plumbing in your home is made of lead or is less than five years old, or if the water is highly corrosive (evidenced by rust-colored water) lead may be a concern.
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Children, infants, and fetuses are the most severely affected populations since they adsorb lead more rapidly than adults because they are still growing and developing. Chronic exposure in children, especially under age six, is associated with developmental disorders, including reduced IQ and development of ADHD.
​WQRF Contaminant Occurrence Map
Check out the Contaminant Occurrence Map for visual representations of drinking water quality data for public water systems across the US.


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Treatment
Lead levels can be dramatically reduced in tap water by first flushing the system before use, particularly if faucets have not been used for 6+ hours. Letting water run for at least 30 seconds before drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula can prevent harmful exposures.

In-home treatment technologies such as carbon, ion exchange, or other point-of-use (POU) technologies should be certified for effective lead reduction.

With all of the unknowns associated with diverse water supplies and variable contamination sources, POU filtration is recommended as a reliable safeguard against designated contaminants in water. However, routine maintenance is vital to ensure a quality product over continued use. If you have a filter to remove contaminants, maintain it according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This might include cleaning it, replacing filter cartridges, and/or calling in a professional for service. Filters overdue for cleaning or replacing may no longer work properly to remove contaminants and may let foul tastes and odors remain in tap water.
Related Articles
  • 07/2005 Lead Contamination of Drinking Water [Link]
  • 05/2015 Why a POU Device? [Link]
  • 02/2016 Corrosive Conditions - How This Common Issue Impacts Public Health [Link]
  • 04/2016 Can We Rid Our Drinking Water Supply of Lead? [Link]
  • 11/2020 Wildfires and Water Quality [Link]

​Other Resources: 
  • EPA Lead and Copper Rule [Link]​
  • CDC: Lead [Link]​
A Water Quality Expert Weighs in on the Flint, MI Lead Event
Joan Rose, PhD Interview
A Water Expert Weighs in on Premise Plumbing
Charles Gerba, PhD Interview
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WQRF | Knowledge of Quality Water


  • Home
    • WQRF Board
  • Network
    • Water Experts
  • 2025 Student Poster Gallery
  • RESEARCH
    • Research & Summaries
    • Webinars
    • Request for Proposals
  • Data Tools
    • Contaminant Map
    • 1-Minute Video Summaries
    • Softening Benefits Calculator
    • Softened Water Toolkit
  • EDUCATION
    • PFAS Resources
    • Contaminants & Risks
    • Treatment Options
  • Next Wave Campaign
    • Campaign Leadership
    • Campaign Supporters
  • Donate
  • Events
    • Walk for Water
    • WQRF @ WQA Convention