What Water Filter Removes Lead?

Look for the certification, not the brand. The EPA says consumers can consider a drinking water filter evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body to reduce lead, and its consumer tool covers point-of-use and pitcher filters certified to reduce lead to 5 parts per billion or less and to reduce particulates, Class I, against both NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 42.

On the package, the EPA says certification bodies require their mark and a statement showing testing against NSF/ANSI Standard 53 along with a claim of lead reduction, and recommends also looking for filters tested against NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction, Class I. It says lead reduction claims to 5 ppb or less that are not on the packaging can typically be found on the performance data sheet inside, in the certifier's online product listing directory, or on the manufacturer's website.

CDC says reverse osmosis filters will remove some types of chemicals from water, including lead, copper, chromium, chloride and sodium, and advises checking the filter's label for the specific chemicals it can remove.

Maintenance counts. The EPA says to read the directions on installing and replacing the cartridge, that using a cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead, and not to run hot water through the filter. Its WaterSense guide adds that some systems, such as reverse osmosis systems, also have a membrane and other parts that may need to be replaced over time.