After moving into a new home, one person learned that a utility test found between 10 and 12 parts per billion of lead in their drinking water.
They asked in Reddit’s r/WaterTreatment community if a filter that says it reduces lead can be relied upon if there is no stamped certification with it.
Here’s what to know
“My current filter is NSF/ANSI 42 certified, so it’s certified to remove chlorine. It also lists an NSF 372 certification, which, from what I’ve read, is a lead content certification but not a lead *removal* certification,” the original poster explained. “It’s unclear to me if that is actually a certification that means my filter is proved to remove lead. The marketing material for the filter claims it filters lead, but the lack of the NSF/ANSI 53 certification makes me think that claim is dubious.”
They said they already had an under-sink filter in place to improve chlorine taste but wondered whether the filter was doing anything for the lead.
The homeowner said in a comment that under-sink filters with the relevant lead-related certification could be found for about $50 to $200, while commenters noted that under-sink reverse osmosis systems could be purchased for under $300.
Others added their two cents, with much of the advice centered on matching a certification to the contaminant in question. One wrote that the filters the OP referenced were “highly suspect” because they were “not listed on the NSF website,” advising checking NSF’s certified product listings instead of relying on marketing language.
Another commenter said they had replaced a lead line at their own home for $4,000 in 2015. “I would not let a water guy test my water,” someone else said. “For sure they will determine that you need their equipment. You need to test it with an independent laboratory.”
The two comparatively affordable options raised in the thread were an under-sink filter with NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction and an under-sink reverse osmosis system for someone willing to take on more complexity in exchange for stronger filtration.
The homeowner leaned toward the simpler temporary fix, saying they could wait for the city to replace the service line at no cost. “I figure that’s enough lead I should really do something about it but not so much lead I need to go crazy,” they wrote in a comment.
More background
NSF hosts a page on lead in drinking water that features helpful information to guide renters and homeowners alike on how they can make sure their drinking water is as safe as they could hope for it to be.
“If you want to reduce lead in your drinking water, make sure the system you choose is certified to NSF/ANSI standards for lead reduction,” the NSF says. “NSF-certified systems have been independently verified to reduce lead from 150 ppb to 10 ppb or less (or 5 ppb for the updated standard requirements as indicated on the products Performance Test Data Sheet).”
The NSF also has a direct guide for reviewing NSF-certified lead filters, which covers the various different types of filters (such as under-sink or in-fridge) and then a full list of all such filters, including their capacity in gallons. To get more on the performance of specific filters, resources like Consumer Reports keep best practices and reviews.
One of the best practices many may not think about is that most filters are not designed to handle hot water, especially since hot water is typically not intended for drinking. Any installation under the sink, for instance, may only work well if it’s on the cold water line. As is the case across the board, any water used for cooking should also be from the cold tap even if it’s going to be boiled straight away, since hot water comes through the water heater tank and may include more dissolved solids and other sediment from the tank, beyond any concerns about baseline water quality.
Consumer Reports also allows you to see its rankings of all water filter types under various categories and even sort the list by those that are NSF-certified for lead removal.
Where can I learn more?
Questions about lead in tap water have come up in other places, too. These stories look at residential water testing, elevated lead levels, and public warnings.
• In Chicago, 38,000 home water tests showed many children still faced lead exposure risks.
• In East Moline, Illinois, officials warned some homes and businesses had elevated lead levels.
• In Austin Colony, Texas, lead, iron, and other metals turned up in neighborhood taps.
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