Does ZeroWater remove lead?
Last reviewed July 2026.
Yes — and it's certified, not just claimed. Every ZeroWater filter we track holds NSF/ANSI 53, the health-effects standard where lead lives, from an accredited certifier. That means the lead claim is in a public listing you can check — not just on the box.
Model by model
| Model | Standards | Lead (53) | Certifier | $ / certified gal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Stage Replacement Filter (2-pack) ZR-002 buy ↗ | 42 53 | ✓ | IAPMO | $1.233 |
ZR-002: System certified by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine) and 53 (lead, hexavalent chromium, PFOA/PFOS, mercury). Not in the NSF listing database — IAPMO is a separate accredited certifier.
Why 53 is the number that matters
NSF/ANSI 42 is aesthetics — chlorine, taste, odour. 53 is health effects, and it is where the lead claim lives. A filter can be honestly "NSF certified" and still filter nothing but taste — see 42 vs 53 vs 401.
Related: Is ZeroWater NSF certified? · every filter we track, ranked by cost per certified gallon
We do not test filters — we index what accredited certifiers publish, with attribution, and make no health or treatment claims. A certification covers a specific model against a specific standard; it is not a general seal of quality. We are not affiliated with NSF International.
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