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Contaminant guide

Lead in drinking water

The EPA action level for Lead is 0.0150 mg/L, and it applies to each supplier's 90th-percentile result. Of the 47,629 water suppliers with results on file, 4,246 (8.9%) are above it.

0.0150 mg/L
EPA limit (MCL)
8.9%
of suppliers above the action level
(4,246/47,629)

What Lead is, and why it's regulated

Lead usually enters water from old service lines and household plumbing, not the source. The 90th-percentile result is what the EPA action level applies to; lead harms children's brain development.

What the EPA limit means

⚖️

0.0150 mg/L

Maximum Contaminant Level — the enforceable ceiling a supplier must stay under.

🎯

0.0 mg/L

Health goal (MCLG) — the level with no known health effect. It is a goal, not a legal limit, and is often zero for carcinogens.

🧪

LCR

Where these measurements come from. Hover the tag for the EPA programme and years.

Where Lead was found

The water suppliers reporting the highest levels, worst first.

SupplierCityStateLevel vs EPA limit
Smethport Borough Smethport PA
0.9044 mg/L 6029%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Aqua Pa Mt Jewett Sharon PA
0.8036 mg/L 5357%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Country Meadows Farmington Hills MI
0.8004 mg/L 5336%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
The Valley Mhc Warren PA
0.8002 mg/L 5335%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
North Coventry Water System Pottstown PA
0.8000 mg/L 5333%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Ridge Haven Conference Center Rosman NC
0.7484 mg/L 4989%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Zerbe Sisters Narvon PA
0.7236 mg/L 4824%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Lukins Brothers Water Company South Lake Tahoe CA
0.6730 mg/L 4487%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Sullivan Trail Village Easton PA
0.6695 mg/L 4463%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Usmc Nebo (Barstow) Barstow CA
0.6500 mg/L 4333%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Elderberry Mhp Conneaut Lake PA
0.6400 mg/L 4267%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Warwick Water Works King of Prussia PA
0.6280 mg/L 4187%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Eei Meadows Complex Dallas PA
0.6085 mg/L 4057%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Roaring Gap Club Inc Roaring Gap NC
0.5890 mg/L 3927%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Sapphire Vill.Condos (West) St. John VI
0.5885 mg/L 3923%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
June Lake Pud - Down Canyon June Lake CA
0.5728 mg/L 3819%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Owls Nest Golf Club and Condos Thornton NH
0.5660 mg/L 3773%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Burlando Heights Mutual Water Co. Kernville CA
0.5360 mg/L 3573%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Riverview Manor Condos Raymond NH
0.5100 mg/L 3400%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
St John'S Water (sc1020002) Johns Island (Sta.) SC
0.5080 mg/L 3387%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Glen Meadows Condominiums Gaylord MI
0.5000 mg/L 3333%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Questa Verde F St. Croix VI
0.4980 mg/L 3320%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Nps - Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells Death Valley CA
0.4830 mg/L 3220%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Blue Lake Residences Troy MI
0.4802 mg/L 3201%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L
Lake Francis Mutual Water Company Dobbins CA
0.4628 mg/L 3085%
above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L

Frequently asked questions about Lead

What is Lead in drinking water?

Lead usually enters water from old service lines and household plumbing, not the source. The 90th-percentile result is what the EPA action level applies to; lead harms children's brain development.

What is the EPA limit for Lead?

The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level for Lead is 0.0150 mg/L, and its health goal (MCLG) is 0.0 mg/L. A result above the limit means the supplier must act; the goal is the level at which no health effects are expected.

How common is Lead in US tap water?

Lead is measured at every supplier the rule covers, so a result on file is not the same as a problem. Of the 47,629 suppliers with results, 4,246 (8.9%) are above the EPA action level.