Lead in Household Plumbing FAQs

New York City’s water is delivered from upstate reservoirs through lead-free aqueducts and water mains. While the use of lead in household plumbing has been banned for decades, some older homes—particularly single family houses built in the 1910s through 1930s—may still have lead pipes and fixtures. We treat the City’s water supply by adjusting the pH and by adding phosphoric acid, a common food additive, which forms a protective barrier on plumbing. Our staff regularly tests tap water throughout the five boroughs to monitor the effectiveness of this treatment.

We encourage residents to view the Water Service Line Map to see whether their building might have lead pipes. If you want to have your water tested for lead, you can call 311 or fill in this online form to order a free lead in drinking water test kit.

Lead that is in household plumbing can dissolve into water, particularly when the water has not been used for several hours. We treat the City’s water supply to significantly reduce the amount of lead that can dissolve, and recurring tests confirm that this treatment is very effective. As an additional measure, residents with lead plumbing can run the water from their tap until it turns noticeably colder before drinking it.

If you want to have your water tested for lead, you can call 311 or fill in this online form to order a free lead in drinking water test kit.

Lead service lines have not been installed in New York City since 1961, and the use of lead solder in plumbing systems was banned in 1987.

Run your faucet for at least 30 seconds, until the water gets noticeably colder, before using it for drinking, cooking or making baby formula. Always use cold water for cooking, drinking, and making baby formula and baby cereal. Never use hot tap water for consumption because lead dissolves more easily in hot water.

No. Boiling water does not remove lead. Boiling water can actually concentrate lead levels so always use cold water for drinking and cooking, including for making baby formula or cereal.

Some faucet and pitcher filters can remove lead from tap water. If you use a filter, be sure to get one that is tested and certified by an independent third party to remove lead in accordance with the standards developed by the National Sanitation Foundation, also known as NSF International. Be sure to maintain and replace any filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. Remember, home treatment devices require periodic maintenance and replacement and can only filter the water that flows from the faucet(s) to which they are connected. Read the filter’s package to be sure the treatment device is approved to reduce lead, or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for home treatment devices.

Running tap water is a simple and inexpensive step you can take to protect your family’s health. Running the water usually uses less than one or two gallons of water and costs approximately $1 per month. To help reduce these costs, you can also fill a couple of bottles for drinking water after running the tap the first time. Another way to conserve water is to use the first run of water for plants, household cleaning or for other purposes that do not involve cooking and drinking.

Yes. In the event that someone is still concerned after following all of these safety precautions, we offer a free lead in drinking water test kit. Call 311 or fill in this online form to request a self-guided lead in drinking water test kit that will be mailed to your home.

Each home should be tested separately for lead. Lead usually gets into tap water through contact with plumbing materials such as lead pipes or lead solder, or faucets, valves, and fixtures made of brass (brass contains some lead). Since each home has different plumbing pipes and materials, test results are likely to be different for each home.

Individual property owners have the option to replace pipes and fixtures containing lead with lead-free pipes and fixtures. In addition, sometimes lead and sediment can build up on the individual screens at your faucets. To clean them, take off the faucet strainers from all taps, remove all debris from the strainer screen and run the water for 3 to 5 minutes. After that, periodically remove the strainers and run the water to flush out any debris that has accumulated.

Even new faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. Under Bill S. 3874 that took effect in January 2014, “lead-free” plumbing components can still have up to 0.25% lead in the surface touching the water. Prior to 2014, “lead-free” fixtures could have up to 8% lead. If the fixtures in your home are from before 1998, they may have an even higher lead content. Consumers should be aware of this when choosing fixtures and take appropriate precautions.

Lead poisoning is a preventable health problem. Lead poisoning can lead to learning and behavior problems in children. Young children are most at risk. Peeling lead paint (and the dust it turns into) is the most common cause of lead poisoning, not lead in water. New York City banned the use of lead paint in homes in 1960, but many older buildings still have lead paint on their walls, windows, doors, and other surfaces. When young children play on the floor or by windows and put their hands and toys in their mouths, they can swallow lead dust. Children can also be exposed to lead in imported consumer products like jewelry, toys, herbal medicine, clay pots and dishes, cosmetics, and food and spices. Reducing exposure to lead from all sources is the best way to protect children from lead poisoning.

Learn more about the health risks of lead poisoning and what you can do to prevent it from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Lead in drinking water can be harmful, especially to young children and pregnant woman. New York City’s water is healthy and safe to drink. It has no lead when it is delivered from our upstate reservoir system, but the possible presence of lead in your interior household plumbing may pose a risk. Not every home will have the same risk because each building’s plumbing may be different in material and age.

To reduce potential lead exposure from your tap, run your faucet for at least 30 seconds, until the water gets noticeably colder, before using it for drinking, cooking or making baby formula. Always use cold water for cooking, drinking, and making baby formula and baby cereal. Never use hot tap water for consumption because lead dissolves more easily in hot water.

Learn more about the health risks of lead poisoning and what you can do to prevent it from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Call DEP’s Lead Unit at 718-595-5364 or email depleadunit@dep.nyc.gov.

Additional Resources

• Visit NYC Department of Education Water Safety for information on and lead testing results in public schools
• Visit Lead Poisoning for lead poisoning prevention information from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Visit Lead in Drinking Water from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Visit Lead in Drinking Water from the New York State Department of Health
• Visit Basic Information About Lead in Drinking Water, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791), or visit Lead from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• For information about lead filters, visit Lead in Drinking Water from the National Santitation Foundation