The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that all Michigan households use a certified lead reducing drinking water filter if their has, or if they are uncertain if it has, one of the following:

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

Use a filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumbing. This would include replacing faucets purchased before 2014, having a lead inspection, and replace any needed plumbing.

To be eligible for Filter Safety Net, the household must:

1. Be located within one of the designated Filter Safety Net Cities listed below.

• City of Dowagiac
• City of Eastpointe
• City of Grand Rapids
• City of Harper Woods
• City of Lapeer
• City of Manistee
• City of Owosso
• City of Three Rivers
• City of Wayne

2. Have or be unsure if they have one of the below:

• 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.

3. Include a Medicaid-enrolled child or children under 19 or Medicaid-enrolled pregnant persons.

MDHHS also recommends making baby formula or cooking with filtered water.

What to know when choosing a filter:

• Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction (Class I).
• For filters to work properly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• MDHHS recommends that filter cartridges are replaced every six months

How Lead Gets into Drinking Water?

How can I protect myself from lead in water?

• Use a filter for your drinking water. Look for a point-of-use filter labeled NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and 42 for particulate reduction (Class 1) on the package. Follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions.
  • PUR Faucet Filter Installation
  • How to use your BRITA pitcher filter
• Get your water moving. Do any of these things to flush your pipes:
  • Run your faucets
  • Take a shower
  • Run a load of laundry
  • Wash dishes
• Clean your faucet's aerator. Pieces of lead can get stuck in the aerator.
• Consider replacing older plumbing, pipes, or faucets. Replace galvanized pipes, pipes with lead solder, and faucets made before 2014.

How to Identify Your Water Service Line Material

How could lead impact my health?

• Know the Facts About Lead
• Well Fed Means Less Lead
• Sirva un futuro mas saludable
• Adult Exposure to Lead
• Pregnant & Breastfeeding Persons should Know about Lead

Low-income households may seek support for faucet replacement or other lead abatement work from:

• Weatherization and state emergency services. 
• Lead Prevention Fund Loan Program.
• State Emergency Relief Program.
• Emergency Services Fund.
• Community Action Agency.
• Harbor Habitat for Humanity.
• U.S. Veterans Affairs.
• or call 211 for assistance.

Lead exposure can come from many sources including paint in homes built before 1978, dust, soil, drinking water from older plumbing, jobs or hobbies that involve lead, and some imported goods.

If you have questions regarding your health, contact your healthcare provider or Your Local Health Department office and press Option 9.

Blood Lead Level Testing

All children who are at risk for lead exposure should be tested for lead poisoning. Some children are more likely to be exposed to lead than others. These include children who:

• live or spend time in a house or building built before 1978
• are from low-income households
• are immigrants, refugees, or recently adopted from less developed countries
• live or spend time with someone who works with lead or has hobbies that expose them to lead

Children enrolled in Medicaid are required to get tested for lead at ages 12 and 24 months, or age 24–72 months if they have no record of ever being tested.

Pregnant women should also be tested if they are concerned about lead exposure.

Additional information about lead is located here.