Filtering Heavy Metals from Tap Water: The Complete Guide (2026)

Published on June 23, 2026 | Reading time: ~12 minutes

Lead in drinking water. Nickel from the tap. Arsenic from the soil. Heavy metals in tap water sound like a distant problem until you discover that the lead standard is exceeded in 1.8% of tap water samples, according to the Drinking Water Platform. And those are only the measured cases.

The question is not whether heavy metals exist, but how you can effectively filter them at home. In this guide, we explain which metals you encounter, what they do to your health, and which filtering solutions truly work.

1. What are heavy metals in water?

Heavy metals are treated differently from organic pollutants (such as PFAS or medicinal residues): they do not break down but accumulate in tissues. This makes them particularly problematic with chronic exposure.

2. Which heavy metals are in tap water?

The most common heavy metals in Dutch tap water are:

• Lead (Pb): Most relevant for households with pipes from before 1960. The EU standard was tightened in 2023 from 10 to 5 micrograms per liter. The RIVM measures an average of approximately 1 µg/l, but peak values at the tap can be higher.
• Nickel (Ni): Released from metal taps and fittings. Standard: 20 µg/l. Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
• Arsenic (As): Naturally present in soil and groundwater. Standard: 10 µg/l. Long-term exposure increases the risk of certain cancers.
• Chromium (Cr): Can be released from stainless steel pipes or through industrial contamination. Standard: 25 µg/l (hexavalent chromium is the most dangerous).
• Copper (Cu): Found in copper pipes, especially with soft, acidic water. Standard: 2,000 µg/l; high concentrations affect the liver and kidneys.
• Cadmium (Cd): Extremely toxic; accumulates in the kidneys. Standard: 5 µg/l.

3. How do heavy metals get into tap water?

Drinking water companies remove heavy metals almost completely during water purification. The problem lies in the journey from purification to your tap. There are three main sources:

• Lead internal pipes (before 1960): Homes built before 1960 often still have (partially) lead pipes. Water standing in such a pipe dissolves lead. Drinking water companies have already made their networks lead-free, but indoors, this falls under the responsibility of the owner.
• Taps and fittings: New taps and old metal taps can release metals during the first few months or with aggressive water. Brass alloys sometimes contain lead, nickel, or zinc.
• Soil and groundwater contamination: In cases of industrial discharge incidents or contaminated soil, metals can enter the network via the drinking water source. Water companies then temporarily halt water intake, but not every contamination is immediately detected.

4. How harmful are heavy metals to your health?

The dangers of heavy metals are cumulative: small amounts seem harmless, but over years they accumulate in organs and tissues. That is why the WHO and RIVM are constantly tightening the standards.

• Lead harms brain development in young children and fetuses. No safe lower limit has been established. Pregnant women and children younger than 6 years are most vulnerable.
• Arsenic, with long-term exposure, increases the risk of skin, lung, and bladder cancer. The RIVM considers arsenic to be a substance without a threshold value: every extra µg/l counts.
• Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys and can cause kidney damage after decades.
• Nickel is the most common contact allergy in adults; oral intake through drinking water can worsen skin reactions in sensitive people.

Research by the RIVM also shows that combined exposure to cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury via food, air, and drinking water can sometimes exceed safe limits, even if each individually falls within the norm.

5. Standards and control: safe or not?

The Netherlands has one of the strictest drinking water standards in the world. Drinking water companies continuously monitor and report per distribution area. The most recent ILT report shows that the annual average standards are almost never exceeded on the distribution network.

However, tap samples show a different picture. In 1.8% of samples, the lead standard of 5 µg/l was exceeded, almost always due to lead internal pipes in older homes. This sounds like a small percentage, but it means that in hundreds of thousands of Dutch homes, the lead concentration from the tap can exceed the legal standard.

6. Which filtering methods remove heavy metals from tap water?

Several technologies are available, with widely varying effectiveness:

Activated carbon filter (GAC / CTO)

Granular activated carbon is the standard for removing chlorine, organic compounds, and some heavy metals. A high-quality carbon filter certified to NSF 53 also effectively removes lead, chlorine by-products, and arsenic. This is the technology used in most inline water filters.

Reverse osmosis (RO)

RO removes almost all heavy metals (more than 95%) and also minerals. Disadvantage: it also removes beneficial minerals calcium and magnesium. Furthermore, RO has high water consumption (3 to 4 liters of wastewater per liter of drinking water) and more complex installation.

Filter jug (e.g., Brita)

Convenient but limited. A standard Brita filter only partially removes lead and is not certified for the removal of arsenic or cadmium. Capacity is approximately 150 to 200 liters per cartridge, a factor of 100 less than an inline filter.

Inline water filter (under-sink filter)

An inline water filter connects directly to the water pipe and filters all tap water you drink. Certified models with NSF 53 effectively remove lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other heavy metals. The capacity is typically 15,000 to 20,000 liters per cartridge, ideal for daily use without hassle.

7. Comparison table: filter options side-by-side

8. PureFilter Mineral+: filtering and adding minerals

The PureFilter Mineral+ combines two functions that rarely go together in other filters: it removes more than 100 contaminants and adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium back to the water using Swedish Mineral Rock™ technology. This is relevant for heavy metal filtration, because with aggressive filtering methods like RO, healthy minerals also disappear.

At PureFilter, we see that customers who previously had an RO system switch precisely because they felt they were drinking "dead water," well-filtered, but without the dissolved minerals that give water its fresh taste and contribute to daily mineral intake.

What does the PureFilter Mineral+ filter in terms of heavy metals?

• Lead (NSF 53 certified)
• Arsenic
• Nickel
• Chromium (hexavalent and trivalent)
• Cadmium
• Copper
• Other heavy metals and trace elements

In addition to heavy metals, the filter also removes PFAS, microplastics, chlorine, medicinal residues, nitrates, and fluoride, all in one cartridge, without separate installation per substance.

9. Points to consider when filtering heavy metals

A water filter is an excellent tool, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Replace filter on time: A saturated filter stops filtering and can even send contaminants back. Replace the PureFilter cartridge every 12 months or after 15,000 to 20,000 liters. Replacement filters are available from €49.90.
• Bacterial growth when stagnant: Any filter can promote bacterial growth in long-stagnant water (more than 3 days). After a holiday, always flush the filter for 30 seconds before drinking the water.
• Replacing lead pipes remains a priority: A filter is a good temporary measure, but replacing internal lead pipes remains the structural solution. Drinking water companies often offer subsidies or discounts.
• Choose NSF-certified: Not all filters that claim to remove heavy metals have been independently tested. NSF 53 is the international standard for lead removal. Only buy a filter with demonstrable NSF certification.

10. Buying guide: which filter is right for you?

The choice depends on your situation:

• Home built before 1960 or uncertain pipe quality? Choose an NSF 53-certified inline filter like the PureFilter Mineral+. It filters continuously, so you don't have to think about it.
• Rental property where you are not allowed to install anything? A Brita is better than nothing, but limited. Consider a compact countertop filter.
• Do you also want mineral water without bottles? The PureFilter Mineral+ adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium via Swedish Mineral Rock™, unique among inline filters.
• Maximum removal desired (e.g., arsenic above the standard)? Then RO is the most radical solution, but note: you will also need a remineralization filter for the taste.

For most Dutch households, the PureFilter Mineral+ offers the best balance between filter performance, ease of use, and taste. Installation in 5 to 10 minutes, no plumbing required, and the replacement filter costs less than half a year of bottled water.

Want to know more about which filter suits your situation? Check out our page best water filter or the frequently asked questions.

11. Frequently asked questions about filtering heavy metals from tap water

12. Conclusion

Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and nickel can end up in your tap water through old pipes, faucets, or industrial contamination. Legal standards offer a basic guarantee, but this guarantee applies to the distribution network, not always to your tap in an older home.

A certified inline water filter is the most practical and effective solution for filtering heavy metals at home. The PureFilter Mineral+ is certified to NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372, removes more than 100 contaminants including all relevant heavy metals, and adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium back through its unique Swedish Mineral Rock™ technology. Installation takes 5 to 10 minutes, no plumber needed.

Want to know more? Visit purefilter.nl or read our guides on PFAS in tap water and the under-sink water filter.