Copper in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
Short-term exposure above the action level can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. Children with Wilson's disease are particularly vulnerable. Copper is an essential mineral in small amounts but harmful at high concentrations.
📍 Sources in Water
Copper in tap water almost always comes from copper household plumbing, not from the source water. Acidic or low-pH water is more corrosive and leaches more copper from pipes. Copper plumbing is very common in homes built after the 1960s.
✅ What To Do
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if water has stood in pipes. Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water dissolves more copper). If levels are high, consider an NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter. Proper pH adjustment by the utility is the main long-term fix.
Check your tap water for Copper
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Copper violations, plus lead testing results and an overall safety grade.
Search your ZIP code →Data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). MCLs reflect minimum federal standards; some contaminants may pose health risks below these thresholds.