Does a Water Filter Remove Lead?

Before buying a water filter, it’s important to find out whether it removes lead. Look for a certified performance data sheet that lists what contaminants the filter is certified to remove. This information can be found online, in the product manual, or on the product’s packaging. Look for reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters that are certified to remove lead. You can also look for a symbol that says “Accredited by NSF International.”

While lead can bioaccumulate in the body, it’s best to remove it as much as possible from your water. However, not all filters are certified to remove lead completely. You should also look for filters that have been tested for lead levels by independent certifying agencies, such as the NSF or WQA. In CR’s water filter ratings, two models are certified to remove lead. To find out if your filter meets the required level for removing lead, compare the results of various brands.

Reverse osmosis is the most common method of removing lead from water. It removes approximately 95% of lead. Partial reverse osmosis is cheaper and does the job for less. Carbon activated filtration removes heavy metals, magnesium, and other contaminants. Carbon activated filtration is another common method, but it must be replaced regularly because its lead-removing capacity diminishes after a certain volume of water has passed through it.