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Lead Detected in Some US Water Kiosks
Study finds reverse osmosis treatment can lead to lead leaching from plumbing in water vending machines.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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A new study has found that water sold from some freestanding water vending machines or kiosks in the U.S. can contain elevated levels of lead, despite the water being treated by reverse osmosis. Researchers analyzed samples from 20 kiosks across six states and found that while the reverse osmosis process effectively removed other contaminants like PFAS, it also created conditions that caused lead to leach from the plumbing components in the kiosks, sometimes at nearly twice the EPA's recommended limit.
Why it matters
The findings raise concerns about the regulation and safety of water kiosks, which are increasingly popular as an alternative to tap water but are not subject to the same testing and oversight. With high-profile water crises like Flint still fresh in many people's minds, the study highlights the need for better monitoring and standards to ensure the water from these kiosks is truly safe for consumption.
The details
The researchers collected water samples from 20 kiosks operated by four different manufacturers across Iowa and surrounding states. Most of the kiosks advertised using reverse osmosis to purify the water. While the reverse osmosis process effectively removed PFAS, the researchers found concerning levels of lead in some of the kiosk water samples - nearly twice the EPA's recommended limit. They traced the lead to the corrosion of brass plumbing components in the kiosks, which can leach lead under the low-pH and low-alkalinity conditions created by the reverse osmosis treatment.
- The study was published on February 12, 2026.
The players
Samantha Zuhlke
A corresponding author of the study and an expert on water quality issues.
David Cwiertny
A researcher who led the study on the chemical and microbial characteristics of kiosk water compared to tap water.
What they’re saying
“Currently, water kiosks are not regulated the same as tap water; their water is not tested for lead or other metals. Updating water kiosk regulations can improve their quality and help consumers make informed decisions about the water they are drinking.”
— Samantha Zuhlke, Corresponding author of the study (Environmental Science & Technology)
“This work adds to growing evidence that allowable levels of lead in 'lead-free' plumbing can still be problematic sources of lead in drinking water when such plumbing is exposed to certain types of water, like that generated after RO treatment.”
— David Cwiertny, Researcher (Environmental Science & Technology)
What’s next
Researchers and regulators are calling for updated standards and oversight of water kiosks to ensure the safety of the water they provide to consumers.
The takeaway
This study highlights the need for better regulation and monitoring of water kiosks, which are increasingly popular but may not always provide water that is as safe as advertised, especially after treatment processes like reverse osmosis that can inadvertently lead to the leaching of contaminants like lead.
