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Get Ahead of Lead

Get Ahead of Lead

You may qualify for a free certified lead-reducing drinking water filter.

Water droplet and checkmark iconIf your home may have lead plumbing, and someone living there is pregnant or under 19 and receives Medicaid, request free filter support here.

As a leader in the nation in lead exposure prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that Michigan households take the necessary steps to Get Ahead of Lead to stay safe and protect against the threat of lead in drinking water.

Statewide Recommendation for Michigan Households

MDHHS recommends that Michigan households use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter if your home has or if you are uncertain if it has one of the following:

  • Lead or galvanized plumbing.
  • A lead service line carrying water from the street to their residence.
  • Old faucets and fittings that were sold before 2014.

Use the filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumbing, such as:

  • Replace pre-2014 faucets.
  • Get a lead inspection and replace needed plumbing.

Maintain Your Drinking Water

Below are tips that everyone can use to help maintain your home’s drinking water quality.

  • You can keep water moving by doing everyday activities, such as:
    • Running a load of laundry.
    • Washing dishes
    • Taking a shower.
    • Flushing toilets.
  • Clean the aerators on faucets at least once every six months to remove trapped debris. Follow this online guide to learn more: Cleaning Your Aerators
  • Before using the water from any faucet for drinking or cooking, run the cold water until it goes from room temperature to cold.

Explore Our Filter and Home Support Programs

We offer several programs to help Michigan households reduce lead exposure and improve drinking water safety. Learn more about each program and see which option may be right for you.

Statewide Filter Support Program

Healthy Taps Program

Filters for Foster Care Program

Lead ALE in Water Supply Support Program

Sign up for the Statewide Filter Support Program Here

Four images of ways to keep water moving, including a washing machine, a person washing dishes, a running shower, and a toilet.
Two children drinking water
Hand holding up a glass of water to be filled from a kitchen faucet with an attached water filter

The Threat of Lead in Drinking Water

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that no safe blood lead level has been identified for young children. All sources of lead exposure for children should be controlled or eliminated. Lead can be found throughout a child’s environment including their homes. Homes built before 1978 can contain lead-based paint and dust, which is a well-established cause of child exposure to lead. Children can also be exposed to lead in their household drinking water due to corrosion of older water service lines and pipes, faucets, and fittings inside the home. This can occur on homes served by a private well or a public water supply.

Lead found in drinking water is soluble or particulate. Soluble lead is lead that is dissolved in water. Particulate lead is small pieces of lead from lead-containing material. Either type of lead can get into your drinking water when pipes or faucets containing lead begin to break down or dissolve. The amount of lead that can end up in drinking water depends on:

  • Water chemistry (what is in the water).
  • Contact with lead-containing items (if it passes through lead plumbing or fixtures).
  • Water use (how often and in what amount water runs through plumbing and fixtures).
  • Construction or plumbing repairs in the street or home (particulate lead can be released). 

Drinking Water Education Materials

Water System Popular Topics

Additional Agency Resources

Regulatory Information

All community and nontransient noncommunity water supplies are subject to Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) requirements. The LCR establishes action levels for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap samples. Water supplies must conduct tap monitoring and associated reporting to stay in compliance with the LCR. Visit our website for details regarding 2018 rule changes, reporting guidelines, forms, and templates.

Drinking water in schools

All children need access to healthy water. Quality drinking water is critical to a child's overall health, development, and performance. Michigan children spend a significant portion of their day in school or childcare facilities. The School Drinking Water Program provides school personnel with training, guidance, and tools on school water management practices, sampling plans, and risk reduction.

Drinking water advisory councils

Revisions to the LCR established the statewide Drinking Water Advisory Council, and individual Water System Advisory Councils to provide education about lead in drinking water to the state and local communities. The statewide council includes water industry professionals, public health professionals and members of the public. A local council must have five or more people, with at least one being a community resident.

Other agency resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Lead in drinking water; drinking water resources; and lead and drinking water from private wells

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE): Types of water supplies

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Basic information about lead in drinking water

 

Residents eligible for the Faucet and Filter Safety Net Program should complete the lead services application. If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.

Helpful Terms

  • Lead Risk Communities

    A data-driven approach was used to identify communities at higher risk for lead exposure. This includes percent of children with elevated blood levels, age of housing, poverty levels, and Lead and Copper Rule testing results. Communities receiving additional assistance are defined as either Filter Safety Net Communities or Faucet and Filter Safety Net Communities.

  • Lead Action Level Exceedance (Lead ALE)

    When a water supply has detected more than 12 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in the drinking water of at least 10% of homes tested, as determined by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

  • Faucet and Filter Safety Net Communities

    Faucet and Filter Safety Net Communities that meet the following conditions:

    • The community is significantly over-burdened (125% of the federal poverty line) regardless of Lead and Copper Ruling status.
    • The community’s elevated blood lead level rate is above the state rate.

Additional Resources