Quick answer: choose a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction, the standard Ohio EPA uses for the filters water systems must hand out [2]. A Brita pitcher with the Elite filter is the simplest start. A PUR PLUS faucet filter gives filtered water on tap. For a permanent fix at the kitchen sink, an Everpure under-sink system lasts up to a year per cartridge.
Ohio has a lot of old water lines. A recent inventory of about 3.5 million water service lines found roughly 9% are lead or galvanized, 68% are not, and the material of about 23% is still unknown, according to the Ohio governor’s office [1]. Ohio EPA has funded removal of about 16,000 lead service lines since 2019, with more in progress [1]. The U.S. EPA says the most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets and fixtures, and that there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood [3].
Why it matters in Ohio
- Ohio water service lines inventoried
- About 3.5 million [1]
- Lead or galvanized
- About 9% [1]
- Material not yet known
- About 23% [1]
- Filter standard in Ohio EPA rules
- NSF/ANSI 53 for lead [2]
- Filters a system must offer after some lead line work
- Up to 3 months' worth [2]
What Ohio’s rules say about filters
Ohio Administrative Code rule 3745-81-84 requires a water system to offer up to three months of filters certified to remove lead after a partial lead service line replacement, and to people in the area of a water main replacement where lead lines are present or likely [2][4]. Ohio EPA’s guidance says those filters must meet NSF/ANSI 53 for lead and can be any type, such as a pitcher or a sink-mount filter [2]. If your utility is working on your street, ask whether you qualify before you buy one.
How we chose
- Certified for lead, not just “NSF 53.” We checked each product in NSF’s public listings for a Lead Reduction claim under NSF/ANSI 53 (listings current as of November 2, 2026) [5][6][7]. Some popular pitcher filters are listed under Standard 53 for other contaminants but not lead, so we left them out.
- Filter life from the maker. Capacity and replacement timing come from each maker’s page or spec sheet.
- Recall check. We searched the CPSC recall database on November 2, 2026, for each brand [12].
- No health promises. A certified filter reduces lead in the water that passes through it. It doesn’t treat lead exposure, and it’s not a substitute for replacing a lead line.
Our picks
Best for: Renters and a low-cost start
Brita Tidal Pitcher with Elite Filter
No installation, and the Tidal pitcher with the Elite filter (OB06) is listed by NSF for lead reduction under NSF/ANSI 53.
- NSF/ANSI 53 Lead Reduction listing for Tidal (OB63) with Elite filter (OB06), 120-gallon service cycle [5]
- Brita says to replace the Elite filter every 120 gallons, about every 6 months for most households [8]
- Replace more often if you have hard water, per Brita [8]
Safety check: Certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction (NSF listing) [5]. CPSC recall search found no recall for Brita pitchers or filters; Brita's only listed recall was for children's water bottles in 2014 (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Only the Elite filter is listed for lead; Brita's standard filters are not. The pitcher is slow for cooking water.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Filtered water straight from the tap
PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Water Filtration System (PFM400H)
It attaches to the faucet in place of the aerator, has a light that tells you when to change the filter, and is listed by NSF for lead reduction.
- NSF/ANSI 53 Lead Reduction listing; 100-gallon service cycle; 0.52 gpm [6]
- PUR says each filter lasts up to 100 gallons or 3 months [9]
- Filter change light shows when to replace [9]
Safety check: Certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction (NSF listing for Kaz USA, a Helen of Troy company) [6]. CPSC recall search found no recall for PUR water filters (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: It doesn't fit every faucet; PUR says to check whether your faucet threading is external or internal first. PUR also says it does not filter microbes [9].
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: A permanent under-sink setup
Everpure H-300 Drinking Water System (EV927076)
An under-sink system with its own drinking water faucet. One cartridge lasts up to a year, so there's less to remember than with a pitcher.
- Lead listed among contaminants reduced; certified by NSF to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 [10]
- 300-gallon capacity; up to 1 year per cartridge [10]
- Flow controlled at 0.5 gpm [10]
- Needs a separate drinking water faucet (included) and about 5 x 22 x 5 in. of space [10]
Safety check: NSF/ANSI 53 Lead Reduction listing for the H-300 [7]. CPSC recall search found no Everpure recall; Pentair's listed recalls were for pool equipment (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: You need to drill or use a spare sink hole for the faucet. Plan on a plumber if you aren't comfortable with that.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Bigger households that drink a lot of tap water
Everpure H-104 Drinking Water System (EV926271)
Same under-sink design as the H-300 with more than three times the capacity, plus NSF/ANSI 401 certification for some emerging contaminants.
- Lead listed among contaminants reduced; certified by NSF to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 [11]
- 1,000-gallon capacity; up to 1 year per cartridge [11]
- Flow controlled at 0.5 gpm [11]
- Replacement cartridge EV961211 [11]
Safety check: NSF/ANSI 53 Lead Reduction listing for the H-104 [7]. CPSC recall search found no Everpure recall (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Same install work as the H-300, and the cartridges cost more.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Buying guide
- Read the certification line. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 with lead reduction named [2]. You can search NSF’s public listings by brand to confirm [5].
- Change filters on time. A filter past its rated gallons may stop reducing lead. Set a reminder when you install one.
- Use cold water. EPA says to use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula, and that boiling does not remove lead [3].
- Flush after water sits. EPA suggests running the tap, showering or doing laundry or dishes before drinking, and checking with your utility for local flushing times [3].
- Find out what your line is made of. Ask your water utility whether the line to your home is lead, galvanized or unknown. Statewide, nearly a quarter of lines are still unknown [1].
Sources
- Office of the Governor of Ohio: H2Ohio Invests $500,000 in Columbus to Replace Lead Lines at Childcare Facilities (Nov. 21, 2025)
- Ohio EPA: PWS-06-001, Guidelines for Water Line Repairs and Replacements in Areas with Lead Service Lines
- U.S. EPA: Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
- Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3745-81-84: Lead service line requirements
- NSF Listings: NSF/ANSI 53, The Brita Products Company
- NSF Listings: NSF/ANSI 53, Kaz USA, Inc. (PUR)
- NSF Listings: NSF/ANSI 53, Pentair Residential Filtration (Everpure)
- Brita: Elite Replacement Filters
- PUR: PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System, Horizontal, Chrome (PFM400H)
- Pentair: Everpure H-300 Drinking Water System Specification Sheet
- Pentair: Everpure H-104 Drinking Water System Specification Sheet
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls database (searched Nov. 2, 2026)
Common questions
How many lead service lines does Ohio have?
A recent inventory of about 3.5 million water service lines in Ohio found roughly 9% are lead or galvanized, 68% are not, and the material of about 23% isn't known yet, according to the Ohio governor's office. Ohio EPA has funded removal of about 16,000 lead service lines since 2019.
What filter certification should I look for to remove lead?
Ohio EPA's rules for water systems call for filters that meet NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the removal of lead. Check that the certification lists lead reduction specifically; some filters are certified to Standard 53 for other contaminants but not lead.
Will my water system give me a filter?
Under Ohio rules, a water system must offer up to three months of lead-certified filters after a partial lead service line replacement, and to people in the area of a water main replacement where lead lines are present or likely. Ask your water utility what applies to your street.