Copper in Water: How to Remove Copper from Your Water System

At-a-Glance: Is Copper in Water Safe?

Quick answer and key numbers

• EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L (1,300 µg/L or ppb) for copper in drinking water under the Lead and Copper Rule.
• Below action level: Water is generally safe for most people. Infants and people with Wilson's disease need extra caution.
• Common signs: Metallic taste and blue‑green stains on sinks, tubs, and fixtures often come with elevated copper.

Immediate steps if you suspect high copper

1. Run cold water for 30–60 seconds before drinking or cooking. Do you notice water has been sitting in the pipes for hours? Flush longer.
2. Use cold water for infant formula. Do not use hot tap water for drinking or cooking.
3. Use filtered or bottled water until you test.
4. Arrange a water test. Also check your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water supplies. It shows system results for lead and copper.

Is copper in tap water safe to drink?

• Below 1.3 mg/L: Generally safe for most adults. Keep extra caution for infants and sensitive groups.
• Above 1.3 mg/L: Higher risk of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea (short-term). Long-term exposure may harm the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
• Most exceedances happen inside buildings with older copper plumbing. Community water systems often meet standards, but copper can still enter water in your home.

Fast fixes you can deploy today

• Install a point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) filter certified for metals. Ion exchange or distillation also work.
• Flush stagnant water before drinking or cooking. Avoid using hot water from the faucet for drinks.
• If your home is older or you have soft or low‑PH water, schedule annual testing and consider corrosion control or pipe upgrades.

Copper in Water: Sources and Signs

Where copper comes from in drinking water

1. Primary source: Corrosion of copper pipes and brass fixtures in homes and buildings.
2. Secondary source: Natural leaching from soil and rocks into groundwater or surface water.

How chemistry drives corrosion (PH, alkalinity, stagnation)

• Low PH and low alkalinity make copper more soluble, so copper can enter water more easily.
• Stagnant water lets copper dissolve longer. First‑draw samples after overnight stagnation often show the highest copper levels.
• Hot water accelerates corrosion. Avoid hot tap water for drinking and cooking.

Visible and sensory clues in your home

• Metallic or bitter taste from the tap.
• Blue‑green stains on sinks, tubs, grout, or around fixtures.
• Pinhole leaks in copper pipes, which may come with copper corrosion.

Why does water leave blue‑green stains?

• Dissolved copper may oxidize and deposit on surfaces, causing the blue‑green color.
• More common in homes with older copper plumbing and soft or acidic water.
• Testing can confirm whether copper is above recommended thresholds.

Health Risks, Exposure Limits, and Regulation

EPA action level explained (1.3 mg/L)

• The action level is a trigger in the Lead and Copper Rule. If 10% of samples are above 1.3 mg/L, the utility must take steps like corrosion control and public education.
• It is not a fixed MCL at the tap because copper mainly rises from in‑home plumbing, not at the water plant.
• In‑home testing helps you see the copper contribution from your pipes and fixtures.

Acute vs. chronic health effects

• Acute (short‑term): Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea after high exposure.
• Chronic (long‑term): Possible liver, kidney, and neurological damage from excess copper over time.
• High‑risk groups: Infants (immature biliary systems) and people with Wilson's disease (impaired copper excretion).

What level of copper is dangerous in drinking water?

• Keep copper below 1.3 mg/L to reduce risk.
• Sensitive people may need stricter precautions even below the action level.
• If you have symptoms that match copper exposure, talk with your healthcare provider and test your water.

Cross‑checking standards and guidance

• EPA and CDC both recognize 1.3 mg/L as the key action level for drinking water.
• State and local health agencies encourage routine monitoring, especially in high‑risk homes.
• Your CCR and local health department pages explain testing for copper in water, corrosion control, and safe use tips.

Testing Your Water for Copper

How to test for copper in water

1. Certified laboratory analysis: Most accurate. Results in mg/L or ppb. Use it if you need firm data for treatment or for sensitive family members.
2. Home copper water test kit: Good for screening. Confirm any positive or unclear results with a certified lab.
3. Utility CCRs: Show public water system results. Because copper often rises inside homes, your water sample may differ from the system average.

Sampling best practices to capture worst‑case

• Take a first‑draw sample from the kitchen tap after water sits in pipes overnight (6–8 hours). This captures worst‑case copper from your plumbing.
• Follow instructions for bottles, preservation, and chain‑of‑custody to avoid contamination. Your lab or health department will guide you.
• Consider multiple locations (kitchen, bathroom) and compare cold vs. hot taps. Take a flushed sample too (after running cold water 2–3 minutes) to see how flushing reduces copper.

How often should I test for copper?

• Annually if you have older copper plumbing, low‑PH or soft water, well water, or any past corrosion issues.
• Test after plumbing changes (new pipes, fixtures) and after installing water treatment.
• Retest if you notice metallic taste, blue‑green staining, or health symptoms.

Proven Ways to Remove Copper (Treatment That Works)

Whole‑home strategies: fix the source first

• Corrosion control at the utility or home scale: adjust PH and alkalinity, or use corrosion inhibitors, to reduce copper release.
• Pipe replacement: Replace corroding copper plumbing with PEX or other non‑corrosive materials if you have persistent problems.
• Use dielectric unions and proper electrical grounding to reduce galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals.

Point‑of‑use filtration with certified performance

• Reverse osmosis (RO): Removes dissolved copper ions well. Look for NSF/ANSI certifications for reduction of metals.
• Ion exchange (IX): Cation exchange resins swap copper for benign ions (like hydrogen or sodium). Effective for dissolved copper.
• Distillation: Boils water and condenses steam, leaving metals behind. It is reliable but slow and uses more energy.

Do standard carbon filters remove copper?

• Activated carbon alone is not reliable for dissolved copper.
• For copper removal, use RO, ion exchange, or distillation. Some systems combine carbon for taste and odor with RO or IX for metals.

Step‑by‑step: Using an RO filter to remove copper

1. Select the right unit: Choose a point‑of‑use RO system certified for metal reduction, including copper. Check capacity and filter life.
2. Install at key taps: Place the RO at the kitchen sink or main drinking and cooking point. RO is ideal for water you drink and use for baby formula.
3. Maintain on schedule: Replace prefilters, RO membrane, and postfilters as directed. Set reminders.
4. Test after install: Test your water at the RO tap to confirm low copper levels. Keep results in a logbook.
5. Taste tip: If RO water tastes flat, add a remineralization cartridge. This does not reintroduce copper.

Prevention and Daily Practices to Reduce Exposure

Smart usage habits that minimize copper

• Flush the water 30–60 seconds in the morning or after work. Longer if your pipe runs are long.
• Always use cold water for drinking and cooking. Heat the water on the stove if you need hot water.
• Avoid storing water in copper containers for infants or sensitive people. Is blue bath water dangerous? It is a warning sign of corrosion. Avoid drinking it and test soon.

Maintenance and material choices

• During remodels, choose PEX or certified non‑metallic components where allowed.
• Maintain water heaters and avoid very high temperatures that can speed up corrosion.
• On private wells, ask a water pro about corrosion control based on your well's water quality (PH, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen).

Does boiling remove copper from water?

• No. Boiling does not remove dissolved metals and can concentrate copper as water evaporates.
• Use RO, ion exchange, or distillation to remove copper.
• If contamination is suspected, switch to filtered or bottled water for drinking and cooking until fixed.

Monitoring plan you can follow annually

• Test yearly if you have risk factors. Keep reports so you can track trends.
• Recheck after new plumbing, treatment installation, or changes in corrosion control by your utility.
• Review your CCR each year and compare to in‑home results to see if copper is coming from your pipes.

Copper Vessels: Benefits vs. Risks (Myths and Facts)

What science says about antimicrobial claims

• Copper surfaces can kill some microbes, but the effect in stored water depends on contact time and chemistry.
• Claims of broad health benefits from "copper water" are limited and often not backed by strong clinical trials.
• Do not use copper vessels to purify water that may have metals or chemicals. They do not act like a water filter.

Is drinking from a copper bottle safe?

• Water that is acidic or soft can pick up higher levels of copper, especially with long storage times.
• Infants and people with Wilson's disease should avoid copper bottles.
• If you still use one, limit contact time, avoid acidic drinks (like citrus), and test your water if you are concerned.

Compare copper vessels vs. modern methods

• Copper vessel vs. RO: RO can remove copper and many other contaminants. A copper container cannot.
• Copper vs. stainless/glass: Stainless steel and food‑grade glass are inert and avoid metal leaching.
• For safety and control, certified water treatment systems are the better choice.

Practical guidelines if you still choose copper

• Use neutral PH water. Avoid citrus and other acidic drinks.
• Keep short contact times and rotate storage.
• Watch for metallic taste or stains. Test for copper if you notice changes.

Case Studies, Data, and Trends

Institutional monitoring underscores prevention

• Wright State University's sub‑ppb copper results show how corrosion control and good asset management can keep copper levels low.
• Many municipal systems report few copper exceedances. Building plumbing is often the main variable.
• This supports frequent sampling and proactive maintenance in schools, offices, and homes.

Homeowner experiences and social media trends

• Posts about metallic taste and blue‑green stains often push people to test and fix their water.
• After installing an RO filter or replacing copper pipes, water samples often drop below detection, and symptoms tend to resolve.
• This mirrors guidance from public health agencies: test, treat, and verify.

Statistical recap and risk landscape

• Exceedances of the copper action level are uncommon at the system level but more likely in older buildings or homes with aggressive water.
• Clinical copper toxicity is rare. The highest risk occurs in infants and those with Wilson's disease.
• Utilities and health agencies recommend testing for copper in water, using corrosion control, and point‑of‑use solutions as needed.

• 30–60 seconds for most homes after stagnation. Flush longer after vacations or in large buildings.
• Confirm with testing. Combine flushing with long‑term fixes like corrosion control or filtration.

Choosing Your Solution and Next Steps

Decision pathway: test, interpret, act

1. Test first‑draw and flushed samples. Compare to 1.3 mg/L and note taste, stains, and plumbing age.
2. If elevated, use short‑term habits (flush, use cold water), and install RO at key taps for safe drinking and cooking.
3. Address the root cause. Consider corrosion control, pipe replacement, or fixture upgrades for a durable fix.

Cost and effectiveness snapshot (owner's view)

• Reverse osmosis (RO): Moderate cost, high efficacy for dissolved copper. Needs periodic filter and membrane changes.
• Ion exchange: Cartridge or small system options. Check resin type and regeneration needs.
• Pipe replacement: Higher upfront cost. Long‑term reliability when paired with proper water chemistry.
• Distillation: High removal rate. Slower and uses more energy.

Working with pros and verifying results

• Hire licensed plumbers and certified water treatment experts as needed.
• Ask for NSF/ANSI certifications on filters and treatment units.
• Request post‑install water testing and keep a logbook of test results, maintenance, and changes.

How do I remove copper from drinking water quickly?

• Install a certified RO system at the kitchen tap for immediate protection.
• Use bottled water for infants or sensitive users until treatment is in place and verified.
• Plan long‑term fixes: corrosion control, pipe upgrades, and routine testing.

Helpful Tables

• POU = point of use.
• POE = point of entry.

Resources and Tools

Authoritative standards and guidance:

• EPA Lead and Copper Rule and action level: 1.3 mg/L
• CDC and ATSDR health information on copper exposure and symptoms
• WHO background documents on copper in drinking water
• State health department pages on copper, household testing, and corrosion control
• Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) for your public water system
• NSF/ANSI certified product listings for water treatment units

Practical checklists you can create at home

• Home sampling checklist (first‑draw vs. flushed)
• RO maintenance and post‑install water test logbook
• Annual monitoring plan if you have copper plumbing

Conclusion & Plain‑language steps to act today

• Do you see blue‑green stains or taste metal? Test your water with a lab.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking, and let the water run after stagnation.
• Install a certified RO system to remove copper, then confirm with a water sample.
• Work on the source: corrosion control and pipe or fixture updates.
• Retest once a year or after any changes to your water system.

Practical FAQs

1. What does copper in water do to the body?

2. Is it safe to shower in copper‑contaminated water?

3. What are signs of copper toxicity?

4. How to get rid of copper in drinking water?

• A reverse osmosis (RO) system at the tap can filter out most dissolved copper using a semipermeable membrane.
• Ion exchange systems use resin to swap out copper ions and work well for water with higher copper levels.
• Distillation removes copper and other impurities through heating and condensation.
• Water conditioning or acid-neutralizing systems can raise PH and help prevent copper from leaching from pipes.

5. How can I test copper in my water?

1. Start by collecting a sample from water that has sat in the pipes for at least six hours—this is when copper levels are usually highest.
2. Then take another sample after running cold water for three to five minutes to see normal levels.
3. Be careful not to touch the inside of the bottle or cap, keep the faucet aerator in place, and make sure the water hasn't been used beforehand.
4. Compare your results to the EPA's 1.3 mg/L limit and check your water provider's CCR for system data.

6. What does it mean if your bath water is blue?

References