Abstract: A method of removing lead from water comprising a) adjusting the pH of the water to about 7 to about 9; and b) adding to the water an effective amount of a water soluble, high molecular weight cationic dispersion polymer composed of i) (meth)acrylamide; ii) a hydrophilic cationic monomer of formula  wherein A1 is O or NH; B1 is C2-C4 alkylene or hydroxypropylene; R1 is H or CH3, R2 and R4 are independently C1-C2 alkyl; R3 is H or C1-C2 alkyl; and X1 is an anionic counterion; and iii) a hydrophobic cationic monomer of formula  wherein A2 is O or NH; B2 is C2-C4 alkylene or hydroxypropylene; R5 is H or CH3; R6 and R8 are C1-C2 alkyl; R7 is C6-C20 alkyl or arylalkyl; and X2 is an anionic counterion; c) optionally adding a water soluble ethylene dichloride ammonia polymer to form a mixture of water and lead-containing flocculated solids; and d) separating the lead-containing flocculated solids from the water.