Lead in Maryland Tap Water: Risks, Testing and Certified Filtration

Lead remains one of the most serious drinking water concerns for Maryland homeowners, especially if you live in an older home built before modern plumbing codes took effect. Even though municipal water suppliers treat and test their water before it enters your home, lead can still leach in once it reaches older service lines, fixtures, or pipes. With aging infrastructure in many parts of the state, understanding your risks and knowing how to protect your family is essential.

Where Lead Comes From

Even when the incoming municipal supply is lead-free, the plumbing inside your home or the underground lead pipes Maryland homes often still rely on may contain legacy materials. Understanding these sources helps you identify how exposure can occur.

Service Lines, Solder, and Fixtures—How Corrosion Releases Lead

Homes built before 1988 commonly used lead solder to join copper pipes, and many older neighborhoods still rely on partial or full lead pipes. Older faucets and brass fixtures may also contain small amounts of lead. When water sits in these pipes for hours at a time, corrosion causes lead to dissolve and enter the water flowing from your tap. This process often accelerates when water is more acidic, has low mineral content, or when pipes get disturbed during plumbing work.

How to Test for Lead

Since lead is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, testing is the only way to know what’s in your water. As a Maryland homeowner, you have access to several options.

Certified Lab Kits vs. On-Site Sampling; When to Retest

The most reliable option for lead in water Maryland testing is a certified laboratory kit that follows EPA guidelines. These tests use first-draw and flushed samples to identify where contamination is occurring. On-site sampling from a licensed water treatment professional adds another layer of accuracy, especially when interpreting results and recommending next steps. We recommend retesting after any plumbing changes, when results are near action levels, or every six to 12 months if your home has older plumbing.

What Removes Lead

Not every filter works best for lead removal. To get effective protection, you need a system that meets the proper certification standards and a technician who installs it correctly.

Certified Carbon/RO Systems and Maintenance Requirements

An NSF 53 filter reduces lead because it uses advanced carbon block technology to capture both particulate and dissolved lead. An NSF 53 filter works well at the tap and is ideal for drinking and cooking water. For more comprehensive protection, lead removal RO (reverse osmosis) systems certified under NSF/ANSI 58 add a semipermeable membrane that strips lead along with many other contaminants.

Both systems require regular maintenance, including timely cartridge changes and membrane replacement. Skipping these steps can reduce effectiveness and allow lead levels to rise again.

Safety Tips While You Plan a Fix

Even before you install a filtration system, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure in daily life. Simple daily habits can significantly lower your risk.

Flushing, Cold-Water Use, and Point-of-Use Filters

If water has been sitting in your pipes for several hours, flush the tap for 30 to 60 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking. Always use cold water for consumption since hot water pulls lead from pipes more easily. NSF-certified point-of-use filters can provide temporary protection while you plan a long-term solution. If young children, pregnant individuals, or immunocompromised family members are in the home, these steps are especially important.

Professional Solutions & Installation

Choosing the right lead-removal setup can be challenging since every home has unique plumbing layouts and water conditions. A system that works well for one household may not be the right fit for another.

Selecting the Right System for Your Plumbing and Usage

Our team can analyze your home’s plumbing layout, identify potential sources of lead, and determine whether a whole-home filter, a point-of-use RO system, or a combination of both provides the best long-term protection. We will also ensure your system installation maintains pressure, delivers adequate flow rates, and meets certification requirements.

Next Steps: Protect Your Home and Health

Lead exposure is preventable with the right testing and treatment plan. If you haven’t scheduled testing for lead in your water, now is the perfect time to confirm your home’s safety. Water Doctor provides certified sampling, professional interpretation, and installation of systems that meet NSF/ANSI standards for lead removal and RO options. Request a certified lead test and discuss filtration options by visiting our water filtration page, exploring reverse osmosis solutions, or contacting Water Doctor today for a personalized quote.