Top 7 Water Filters for Lead Removal

Among all the contaminants found in your drinking water, lead is considered to be one of the most harmful. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and world health organization (WHO) are very vocal about the lead found in the American drinking water and tap water all around the world. In this article, we will look forward to what problems lead can cause, what are the best solutions to get rid of lead in your water including the best water filters to remove lead from your water.

What is the safe level of lead in drinking water?

EPA, WHO, and CDC agree that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. The maximum contaminant level for lead is zero. Your drinking water must be completely free from lead. Lead is very harmful, and it can cause severe problems for you and your family.

Health Effects

Lead in drinking water is believed to be very dangerous. It can have the following effects.

Children

Young children, infants, and fetuses are at grave risk. A small dose of lead can have no impact on an adult, but it can have a considerable effect on children’s health. The following are the possible effects of lead on the health of children.

• Poor development of the nervous system
• Learning and behavioral problems
• Lower IQ
• Hyperactivity
• Slow growth
• Hearing problems
• Anemia
• Rare cases of seizures, coma, and permanent disability

Please keep in mind that if your children or pregnant women in your home have been exposed, you should consult your doctor and get medical help urgently.

Adults

Adults can withstand a small dose of lead in drinking water, but continued exposure is hazardous. The common problems occurring due to lead intake are

• Cardiovascular issues
• High blood pressure
• Hypertension
• Kidney problems
• Reproductive problems for both men and women

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are at extreme risk due to lead in drinking water. In the case of calcium deficiency, lead is released as maternal calcium and is used to bone development of the fetus. Lead can also cross the placental barriers and enter the fetus, which is very dangerous. It can cause the following developmental issues for the baby

• Slow or impaired growth of the fetus
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth

How does lead get into the water?

It is important to know how lead enters your drinking water. Lead enters your drinking water through plumbing pipes that have lead in them. This happens more commonly in older houses. Along with plumbing pipes, lead enters your water through faucets and lead fixtures. Hence, you should always look for faucets and plumbing fixtures without any lead content. NSF/ANSI has strict regulations and standards to ensure that the manufacturers do not use lead as a raw material. Lead is commonly found in plumbing fixtures of homes built before 1986. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has reduced the percentage of lead to 0.25% for the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux.

Despite all the measures, corrosion can still cause lead to enter your water and cause you severe health issues. Corrosion is defined as the process of dissolving or wearing of metal due to a chemical reaction between water and your home’s plumbing. Factors like the chemical nature of water, amount of lead in plumbing pipes, the temperature of the water, amount of water, the time water stays in the pipes, and the presence of protective coating, all control the speed of corrosion. You cannot risk it. Therefore, you need solid protection against lead. We will be discussing all the filters later in this article to help you get rid of lead in water.

How to find out lead in your drinking water?

You can find out about lead in drinking water through the following means

Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) – EPA issues an annual report based on the quality of water for every area. You need to contact your water utility to get a copy of the report from them. You can visit the official website here.

Water Testing – You can get your water tested for lead at your home or in a professional lab. All the well owners should get their water tested as lead is more commonly found in well water. For municipal water users, testing is also recommended. Make sure you choose a certified lab for testing. A list of all the certified facilities is available with your state or local drinking water authority.

What’s the best way to get rid of lead in water?

EPA provides a few directions to get rid of lead in your water. All of these are, however, temporary measures. Let’s look at them

Run your Water – If you have lead in water, make sure you flush all the water in pipes before filling drinking bottles, cooking, and bathing. The problem with this method is you can’t know for sure that all the lead has been removed from your water or not. Hence, you need a permanent solution for this.

Using Cold Water – Another short term solution is to use cold water for drinking, cooking, making baby milk, or any other beverage. Boiling the water will not remove lead from it.

Clean Aerators and Showerheads – To get rid of the deposited lead on such surfaces, it is best to clean them. You can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. It also helps in removing hard water stains and increasing water pressure.

The Best Solution – Water Filters for Lead –After going through all the information given above, we can say that the only permanent, effective, and productive solution to get rid of lead in your drinking water is to use a water filter. Here comes another catch, people are not aware of what filter they need to buy to get rid of lead and all the other contaminants in the water. This is where we step in, we have selected the best filters for removing lead and all the other contaminants found in drinking water. Our filters can be used for treating lead water and municipal water as well.

Best Water Filters for Lead

	Top Picks (Comparison)
	Editor's ChoiceFiltrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System an advanced reverse osmosis filtration system Removes Microbial, Chlorine and Lead Flow rate 1.5 gallons/minute	LATEST PRICE →
	Woder WD-S-8K-DC Water Filtration System Adds healthy and necessary minerals in the water Filter life 3 years Removes Chlorine, Lead, Chromium6 and heavy metals	LATEST PRICE →
	Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System Filtration System Up to 0.5 micron Removes Lead, Chlorine and bad taste/odor filters around 1600 gallons of water	LATEST PRICE →
	Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher Filter life 100 gallons 10 cup capacity Removes PFAS/PFOA, chlorine, fluoride, lead, and others	LATEST PRICE →
	Brita 7540545 On Tap Faucet Water Filter System 3 different modes of operation Filter life 4-5 months Filtration capacity 100 gallons	LATEST PRICE →
	Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter Filtration capacity 1.5 gallons Filter life 6000 gallons Gravity-fed water filter	LATEST PRICE →
	iSpring WGB32B-PB 3-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System Filter life 1 - 2 years Best for Carbon, Iron, Lead and sediments 3-Stage water filter	LATEST PRICE →

We have included the best lead filters in all the categories, such as under the sink, pitcher, faucet, gravity-based, whole house water filters. We have included only the best as we don’t want you to compromise on your health.

Under Sink Water Filters

1. Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System, Easy to Install, Reduces 99% Lead + Much More (3US-MAX-S01)

Filtration Capabilities: The filter can remove 99% of lead in your water, 99% microbial cysts, and 97% of chlorine taste and smell. It is also effective against other harmful contaminants in the water. A 0.5-micron filter captures all the suspended particles like sediment, sand dust, and rust in the water. 0.5 micron is an effective size for filtration media, and it will capture all the contaminants from water. The filtration media is in line with an advanced reverse osmosis filtration system.

Filtration Capacity: The filter can last for 6 months or 1500 gallons. You would need to replace your filter when the flow rate starts to reduce. It is a common symptom that your filter needs replacement. You should never use this filter for more than 6 months. 1500 gallons of water is enough for a small family to last for 4-5 months.

Flow Rate: You get a flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute. It is an excellent flow rate for one tap, and you would be able to fill water bottles, cooking pots, wash eatables without any problems.

Certifications: It bags powerful certifications from NSF/ANSI against standards such as 42 and 53. These standards ensure that lead is not used in the making of the filter, and it constantly removes lead from your water as claimed.

Installation: Installing the system is easy. If you have some basic knowledge of your home’s plumbing, installing the filter will not be an issue. Everything needed to complete the installation is included in the package. You can complete the entire process in just 3 simple steps. It is a compact and sleek model and will not occupy a lot of space under your sink.

Our opinion and Verdict:

2. Woder WD-S-8K-DC Water Filtration System – WQA Certified – USA Made Ultra High Capacity Direct Connect Under Sink Water Filter – Removes Chlorine, Lead, Chromium 6, Heavy Metals, Odors/Contaminants

Filtration Capabilities: Woder comes with a powerful and intelligent filtration system. It removes the harmful contaminants like lead (99.9%), heavy metals, chlorine, bacteria, mercury, chromium, and others. It is also perfect for removing turbidity, coloring, and odors in the water. Unlike an RO system, it leaves behind the healthy and necessary minerals in the water like calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus. All these are needed for proper body functioning.

Filtration Capacity and Filter Replacement: Woder leaves behind the rest by giving you a large filtration capacity. The filter can last for 3 years or 8480 gallons of water. It is the best option for large families as well. Most of the filters need replacement after 6-12 months. Please keep in mind that you may need to clean your filter in case of a decreased flow rate.

Flow Rate: It offers a flow rate of 2 GPM. You can carry out all your tasks without any inconvenience. 2 GPM is enough for filling a 5-gallon water bottle in less than 3 minutes.

Certifications: The filter comes with all the certifications you need to have peace of mind. It has a WQA gold seal certifications and an NSF/ANSI certification against standards 42 and 372 for removing chlorine and lead, respectively.

Installation: Please keep in mind that this is only to be used with municipal sources. The installation process is easy. All you need to do is connect the hoses to the standard 3/8 inches water valves. Once the connections are made, turn on the main supply and enjoy lead-free water. If your fittings are not 3/8 inches, you may need to add connectors to work with this filter.

Our Opinion and Verdict:

3. Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System-High Capacity Direct Connect Under Counter Drinking Water Filtration System-0.5 Micron Quick Change Removes 99.99% Lead, Chlorine, Bad Taste & Odor

Filtration Capabilities: The unit comes with a 2 stage filtration to provide you with pure drinking water. With the help of a 0.5-micron filter, all the suspended matter, rust particles, dust, sand, and dirt are removed from the water. The next stage removes lead, mercury, chromium, VOCs, herbicides, insecticides, and any other contaminants. The filter is exceptional when it comes to removing turbidity, odors, and bad taste from water.

Filtration Capacity: The filter cartridge can filter around 1600 gallons of water. You can use this filter for a maximum of 2 years. However, you should consider replacing your filter after 6-8 months.

Flow Rate: The filter offers a flow rate of 2 gallons per minute. The good thing about this filter is that it can maintain a reasonable flow rate at even low supply pressure.

Installation: The installation is quick and easy. You can connect it with your standard cold water pipes. The pipes are compatible with 3/8 or ½ inches.

Our Opinion and Verdict:

Best Water Pitcher for Filtering Lead

4. Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher | Guaranteed to Remove More Contaminants Than the Top 5 Leading Brands Combined | Tested to NSF Standards | 10 Cup Purifier, 1 Filter Cleans 100 Gallons of Water

Filter pitchers are excellent to be used by individuals or small families of 2-3 people. They are also excellent for a dinner table or staying hydrated during working in your office. The filter works well for 100 gallons of water and can provide you with 10 cups of pure water in one go. As far as the filtration capabilities are concerned, it can remove up to 230 contaminants from water. It can remove lead, mercury, chromium, herbicides, insecticides, arsenic, taste, and odors from water. One benefit of this filter is that it does not need installation. You just need to put water in it, wait for 10-15 minutes and you are good to go. As it is a sleek pitcher, you can also place it in your refrigerator. It is also portable; you can carry it with your trips.

Our Opinion and Verdict:

Best Faucet Filter for Removing Lead

5. Brita 7540545 On Tap Faucet Water Filter System, Pack of 1, White w/Indicator

Some people just want to install a filter on their taps and filter water. It is best for small families and individual use. It comes with a tool-free installation. All you have to do is to attach the filter to your faucet and enjoy pure water. Make sure you have ample space above your tap before buying this filter as it needs 8.25 inches above the tap and has a width of 2.38 inches and length/depth of 6 inches. Brita can remove lead, mercury, chromium, chlorine, VOCs, and a variety of other contaminants. The filter comes with a green light to tell you about the condition of the filter. Generally, it can last for 4-5 months for an average American household. In terms of volume, the filter can work for 100 gallons. You can operate this filter in 3 different modes. It helps you in washing your dishes with a spray of unfiltered water. Other modes are a stream of tap water and filtered water.

Our Opinion and Verdict:

Best Gravity Based Water Filters for Lead Removal

6. Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter with 2 Black Berkey Purification Elements

If you travel a lot, go camping, and need a solution to remove lead from your water, Berkey has got you covered. The travel Berkey comes in a sleek design and has a one-time 1.5-gallon filtration capacity and can remove lead, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, VOCs, and any other harmful contaminants. It comes with a pair of purification filters that can work for 6000 gallons of water. This filter is perfect for traveling and on the go filtration. You can also use it on your kitchen countertop or place it on your dinner table or office table.

Our opinion and Verdict:

Whole House Water Filter for Lead Removal

7. iSpring WGB32B-PB 3-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System w/ 20-Inch Big Blue Sediment, Carbon Block, and Iron & Lead Reducing Filter

Filtration Capabilities: For all the large families out there and people who use multiple points for drinking water, it is one of the best filtration solutions. A whole house filter provides filtered water at every point of use. iSpring’s 3-stage filter comes with a 3-stage filtration mechanism. The 1st filter is a 5-micron sediment cartridge that removes suspended particles, dust, sand, and dirt particles from water. The water then goes to the 2nd stage; it is a carbon filter and works against chlorine taste and smell, VOCs, chemicals, pharmaceuticals. The last stage is a lead, iron, and manganese filter. Apart from removing these metals, it also works on other heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and chromium. The filter makes sure that you get drinking water according to EPA standards.

Filtration Capacity: It has a filtration capacity of 100,000, and the filters can last for 1-2 years. Once installed, you won’t need to worry about replacing the filters anytime soon.

Flow Rate: The filter has been constructed with sturdy materials and can withstand high feed pressure and hence delivers a fast flow rate of 15 gallons per minute. It will be enough even water is being used at 3-4 different points at one time. This filter is so powerful that it is increasingly being used at commercial properties.

Installation: Installing the system is easy. All you have to do is stop the main water supply, make the connections, turn the water back on and waste a few gallons of water.

Technical Details: The system can handle a pressure feed of 25-80 PSI and can operate between 40-100 ºF. The ideal pH range is 6-11, and it comes with 1-inch NPT inlet/outlet connections.

Our Opinion and Verdict:

Buying Guide

The following factors will help you in making the best purchase decision while buying a lead water filter.

Water Demand

Based on your water demand, you can select from a whole house, under the sink, faucet filter, or gravity-based water filter. If you are a large family, you would need an endless supply of water for drinking and water, the whole house or under the sink is the best for you. If you use multiple points of drinking water or cooking, the whole house is best. For small families, faucet filters, pitchers, and gravity-based can work as well.

Ease of Use

Pitchers and gravity-based water filters need to be replaced often compared to faucet filters, whole house, or under the sink. They can keep on supplying you with water until the filter expires. If you are not comfortable with filling water bottles and pitchers, go for the other ones.

Filtration Capacity and Filter Replacement

You also need to keep an eye on the filtration capacity of the water filter. We don’t want you to change your filter every month in order to get lead free water. A good filter needs replacement after 6-8 months. You should also look for an easy filter replacement mechanism. We don’t want you to make a mess in your kitchen every time you replace a filter.

Ease of Installation

You should look for a filter that is easy to install. A DIY installment doesn’t cost you anything but time. Instead of paying the plumbers, get a better filter by saving the installation fee. A filter that is easy to install is also easy to maintain.

Budget

Make sure that not only the initial purchase but filter replacement is also in your pocket. A lot of people buy filters that have high replacement costs. At least, they either have to stop replacing the filters and compromise on health, or they have to replace the filters.

Certifications

Look for a filter that has certifications to its credit. A filter that bags certifications from WQA, NSF, and ANSI perform better than the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

We have listed all the best filters you can use for removing lead from your water and keeping your family safe. All of the filters listed above have been tested by our experts. If you buy from the list above, we can assure you that you won’t need to get your water tested again as we have only reviewed the best filters for you.