Free lead water filters: utility and state programs
Can I get a free water filter for lead?
Often, yes. Many utilities give free certified filters to homes with lead or unknown service lines, especially after replacement work, and Michigan offers them statewide to eligible households. Ask your utility first.
Programs we confirmed
Michigan (statewide)
MDHHS gives free lead-reducing filters and replacement cartridges to eligible households through Get Ahead of Lead; in August 2026 the program expanded to eligible households in every community. Homes with lead or galvanized plumbing, a lead service line, older faucets, or an unknown line are the focus. Call the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
Sources: MDHHS: Statewide Filter Support Program, MDHHS, Aug. 31, 2026
Denver, CO
Denver Water gives a free pitcher, a certified lead-removal filter and replacement cartridges to every customer who may have a lead service line, delivered to the home, until six months after the line is replaced.
Sources: Denver Water: filter program
Chicago, IL
The Department of Water Management provides free filter sets, a pitcher with six certified cartridges, to eligible homes, and any resident can request a free lead test.
Sources: Lead Safe Chicago
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Water Works gives a free filter pitcher and cartridges during service line replacement, and a limited supply of free filter starter kits is available to eligible families through community organizations.
Sources: Milwaukee Water Works: filters, Milwaukee Health Department
Pittsburgh, PA
PWSA provides free tap filters to eligible customers, including low-income renters whose homes may have lead lines and customers whose tap water tested at 10 ppb or more. Call the PWSA lead help desk at 412-255-8987.
Sources: Allegheny County: lead resources
Elgin, IL
Elgin residents and business owners with an active water account in a building built before 1988 can get a free lead test kit and pitcher filter.
Sources: City of Elgin: lead testing and filter program
When your utility must give you a filter
Under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, a utility that replaces or disturbs a lead service line has to give the household a filter certified to reduce lead, with replacement cartridges. Systems that exceed the lead action level repeatedly must also make filters available to all customers. If your street is being dug up or your line replaced, ask for yours.
If there's no free program
A certified pitcher or faucet filter costs about $20 to $60 to start. See our guide to filters certified for lead, and use filtered or bottled water for drinking, cooking and baby formula until your line is replaced.
Know a free filter program we missed? Tell us.
Common questions
Can I get a free water filter for lead?
Often, yes. Many utilities give free certified filters to homes with lead or unknown service lines, especially after replacement work, and Michigan offers them statewide to eligible households. Ask your utility first.
Does my utility have to give me a filter?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must provide lead-certified filters after replacing or disturbing a lead line, and systems with repeated lead action level exceedances must make filters available to customers.
What filter removes lead?
Look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction, and replace the cartridge on schedule. Boiling water does not remove lead.