Lead Removal for Drinking Water

Lead almost never comes from the water source itself. It usually enters as water travels through older home plumbing, including lead-based solder used on copper pipe before 1986, galvanized service lines, and some older brass fittings. Homes built before 1986 with original plumbing are the most likely to have lead at the tap.

The only way to know is to test, because lead is invisible, tasteless, and has no odor. A municipal report reflects water at the treatment plant, not what reaches your kitchen tap, so a separate sample is needed. Lead has to be confirmed by a certified laboratory, and Range Water customers can order a mail-in lab test kit through our SimpleLab storefront.

A point-of-use reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink is the most common and effective solution. The RO membrane removes the large majority of dissolved lead and other metals, giving you clean water for drinking, cooking, and ice. Whole-house lead removal is available but usually isn't needed when the concern is drinking water.

No, a standard water softener does not remove lead. Softeners exchange hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium and are not designed to take out dissolved metals such as lead. Lead reduction requires a dedicated approach, most often a point-of-use reverse osmosis system installed at the kitchen tap.

No, the EPA states there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, especially for children, infants, and pregnant women. Rather than asking whether a level is high enough to cause symptoms, the better question is whether any lead is present and, if so, how to remove it through proper filtration.

Any home built before 1986 with original plumbing is worth checking, along with homes whose service line isn't documented and older rural wells with original casing or fittings. Schools, daycares, and households with infants or pregnant women face the highest risk and should test first.