Is it safe to shower, cook or boil water with lead pipes?
Updated November 2, 2026
Is it safe to shower with lead pipes?
Generally yes. The CDC says bathing and showering should be safe for adults and children even when lead is above EPA's action level, because skin does not absorb lead in water to a meaningful degree.
If you just learned you have a lead service line, you don't have to stop using your water. The main risk is drinking it and cooking with it, not bathing in it. Here is what health agencies advise.
Showering and bathing
The CDC says bathing and showering should be safe for adults and children, even when lead in the water is above EPA's action level, because skin does not absorb lead in water to any meaningful degree. Young children who swallow bath water are the exception to watch for.
Boiling does not remove lead
Boiling kills germs, but it does not remove lead. As water evaporates, lead can actually become more concentrated. Don't rely on boiling to make water from a lead line safer.
Drinking, cooking and baby formula
- Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, or bottled water, for drinking, cooking and mixing formula.
- Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water draws more lead from pipes.
- Replace filter cartridges on schedule. An expired cartridge stops removing lead.
Flush after water sits
Water that sits in a lead line overnight or while you're at work picks up more lead. Before drinking, run the cold tap, take a shower, or do a load of laundry to bring in fresh water from the main. Many utilities recommend running the tap until it feels noticeably colder. Flushing helps, but it is not a substitute for a filter.
Clean your aerators
Lead particles can collect in the screen at the tip of the faucet. Unscrew and rinse it every few months.
Get tested
Ask your utility for a free tap water test, or use a certified lab kit. If you are pregnant or have young children, ask your doctor about a blood lead test. There is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.
The real fix
These habits lower exposure, but the lasting fix is replacing the line. Look up your utility's program to see whether it is free or subsidized.
Sources: CDC: lead in drinking water, EPA: basic information about lead in drinking water
Common questions
Is it safe to shower with lead pipes?
Generally yes. The CDC says bathing and showering should be safe for adults and children even when lead is above EPA's action level, because skin does not absorb lead in water to a meaningful degree.
Does boiling water remove lead?
No. Boiling does not remove lead and can concentrate it as water evaporates. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead or bottled water instead.
How long should I run the tap if I have lead pipes?
Run the cold tap after water has sat for several hours, until it feels noticeably colder, or use water for a shower or laundry first. Many utilities give a specific time. Flushing helps but does not replace a certified filter.
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