Step 1: free habits (start today)
- Use cold water. Use only cold tap water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Hot water can hold more lead, and boiling does not remove lead.
- Run the tap first. Water that sits in pipes for hours can pick up more lead. Before drinking, run the tap, take a shower, or run a load of laundry or dishes to bring in fresh water.
- Clean the aerator. Unscrew the little screen at the end of your faucet every few months and rinse it. Tiny bits of sediment and lead can collect there.
- Learn your service line. Ask your water department what your service line is made of, or use EPA's Protect Your Tap guide to check at your water meter.
- Test your own tap. Your town's report covers the whole system, not your faucet. Ask your water department about lead testing, or use a certified laboratory.
Your options, side by side
| Option | Cost | Effort | What it covers | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday habitsFree | $0 | A minute a day | Lowers lead from pipes that water sat in; doesn't remove anything | Helps, but doesn't treat the water |
| Certified bottled waterShort term | Ongoing, every week | Buying, carrying, recycling | CDC says bottled water certified by an independent testing organization can virtually eliminate lead exposure from tap water | CDC notes it may not be the most cost-effective option long term; lots of plastic |
| Certified pitcher filterLow cost | A pitcher plus replacement filters | Refilling and changing filters on time | Lead, if the exact filter is certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead; some are also certified for PFOA/PFOS | Only certified models count, and an expired filter works less well. Cold water only |
| Certified faucet-mount filterLow cost | A faucet unit plus replacement filters | Changing filters on time | Lead, if the exact model is certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead (for example, Brita's faucet filter is listed for lead) | Doesn't fit every faucet; don't run hot water through it |
| Under-sink reverse osmosisPermanent | From $1,195 installed with us (about 33¢ a day over 10 years), plus filter changes | Filter changes about once or twice a year | Lead, PFOA/PFOS, and more at a dedicated kitchen tap — for the certifications listed on the exact model | Treats one tap, not the whole house. Uses extra water to rinse the membrane |
| Whole-home system with ROPermanent | From $2,699 installed with us (about 74¢ a day over 10 years) | Scheduled filter and salt maintenance | Chlorine taste and smell at every tap, hard-water scale, and certified RO drinking water at the kitchen | Lead and PFAS reduction still happens at the RO tap, not the whole house |
Pitcher filters certified for lead
EPA's filter guide recommends products certified to reduce lead to 5 ppb or less under NSF/ANSI 53, and to reduce particulates under NSF/ANSI 42. Certification belongs to the exact filter model:
- Brita Elite filter (model OB06): Certified by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction in listed Brita pitchers, plus NSF/ANSI 42 Class I particulates. Rated for 120 gallons, about 6 months. Brita's Original (Standard) and BritaPlus pitcher filters are not certified for lead.
- PUR PLUS pitcher filter (PPF951K): PUR states it is certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction. Rated for 40 gallons. Only genuine PUR PLUS cartridges in compatible PUR pitchers carry the certification.
- Culligan ZeroWater 5-stage filter (ZEROF01): Certified by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, PFOA, and PFOS reduction. The lead and PFAS certification is for 15 gallons, so filters need changing often. Good if PFAS is your concern; plan for frequent filter changes.
Whatever you choose: change the filter on time (an expired filter works less well), and don't run hot water through it.
The permanent option
An under-sink reverse osmosis system gives you filtered water from a dedicated kitchen faucet — no refilling, no carrying cases home. Ours starts at $1,195 installed, about 33¢ a day over 10 years before filter changes, and the exact NSF/ANSI certification listing is written on your quote. If you also want better-tasting water at every tap and less hard-water scale, the Complete Home System starts at $2,699.
Get the free Palos Heights Safe Water Guide to keep these steps handy.
Quick questions
Is a Brita pitcher certified for lead?
Only the Brita Elite filter (model OB06) is certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead in listed Brita pitchers. Brita's Original (Standard) and BritaPlus pitcher filters are not certified for lead.
Is bottled water safer than tap water?
CDC says bottled water certified by an independent testing organization can virtually eliminate lead exposure from tap water, but notes it may not be the most cost-effective long-term option.
Sources
- Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water — U.S. EPA
- About Lead in Drinking Water — CDC, August 20, 2025
- Consumer Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce Lead — U.S. EPA, June 2024
- Performance Data Sheet: Brita Elite Filter (Model OB06) — Brita, January 2026
- Better Water: which Brita filters are certified for what — Brita
- PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher Filter (PPF951K) — PUR
- Performance Data Sheets & Certification — Culligan ZeroWater
- Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce PFAS — U.S. EPA
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Palos Heights Water Filtration is an independent business and is not affiliated with the City of Palos Heights. Product certifications are model-specific and can change; check the current listing before you buy.
