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Using Water Filters in Your Home

Do I Need a Drinking Water Filter?

Milwaukee’s water is treated to reduce lead, but older homes may still have lead service lines.

Consider a filter if:

  • Children under 6 live in your home
  • Someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding lives in your home
  • You live in a home with a lead service line, lead or galvanized plumbing, lead solder, or faucets installed before 2014

Dos and Don’ts of Using a Filter

Using a certified water filter can help reduce lead and other contaminants in your drinking water. To make sure it works effectively:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s setup and maintenance instructions.
  • Replace cartridges on time.
  • View the Dos and Dont's of Using a Filter flyer for more important details on proper use and potential risks (also available in Spanish).

Choosing the Right Filter

How to Use and Maintain Your Filter

  • Install properly according to the manufacturers instructions
  • Replace cartridges as recommended
  • Keep the filter cleanfilter
  • Use cold filtered water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula

For more detailed instructions, see the EPA guide on maintaining your water filter. 

Free Filters with Lead Service Line Replacement

Filters are provided when a lead service line replacement is scheduled at your home.

Milwaukee Water Works provides a free filter pitcher and replacement cartridges during your service line replacement.

Redeem your voucher at:
Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI


Other Times Filters May Be Provided

  • If your property is near a water main replacement but your pipe is not being replaced
  • If your property is near sewer or street construction affecting lead pipes

Additional Resources:

Other Sources of Lead:

Lead exposure can come from multiple sources in the home, including paint, dust, soil, and plumbing. Replacing a lead service line reduces one source of exposure, but it is still important to understand and address all potential risks.

For more information on lead exposure, prevention, and child blood lead testing, visit: Milwaukee Health Department - Home Environmental Health

Customer Service Center

For billing and related questions: 

 414-286-2830

24-Hour Control Center
For water emergencies only:

 414-286-3710

  414-286-5452 (Fax)

Email: [email protected] 

 Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Room 406, Milwaukee, WI 53202

 Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM