How to Sample for Lead

We recommend testing all taps in your home used for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula.

For the tap you use most often for drinking or cooking, collect two samples:

1. A first-draw sample, and
2. A 30-second flush sample.

For any additional drinking or cooking taps you want to test, collect one first-draw sample from each tap.

If lead is found, two-step sampling can help show where it may be coming from and help guide next steps.

1. A first-draw sample is the first water that comes out of the tap after the water has not been used for at least 6 hours. This sample can suggest lead sources close to the tap, such as the faucet, fixture parts, or nearby plumbing.
2. A 30-second flush sample is collected after the cold water runs for 30 seconds. This sample can suggest lead sources farther away from the tap, such as plumbing deeper in the home or, in some cases, service line materials.

• 2 bottles for your primary drinking or cooking tap
• 1 bottle for each additional tap
• Chain of custody form
• Return shipping label

Set your bottles near the tap you will sample and have a timer handy. Do not throw away the box and bubble wrap. You will use these to ship your samples back.

To collect a first-draw sample, water in the home must not be used for at least 6 hours before sampling.

That means:

• Do not run any faucets
• Do not flush toilets
• Do not wash hands
• Do not shower or bathe
• Do not use appliances that draw water

Early morning is often the easiest time to sample. If any water was used during the 6-hour waiting period, stop and sample the next day instead.

Immediately after sampling, fill out your chain of custody form.

Include:

• Who collected the samples
• The date
• The time each sample was collected
• If you did not sample your kitchen tap, write down which tap you sampled instead.

• Tightly close each bottle, place them into their zip bag, and seal it.
• Put the chain of custody form along with any other forms and seal them in the second zip bag.
• Put everything back in the box. If you no longer have the original box, use another sturdy box.
• Place the return shipping label over the previous label on the box.
• Seal the box securely with shipping tape.

• Ship the samples within 7 days of collection.
• Schedule a free UPS pickup online at www.ups.com/pickup or call 1-800-742-5877.
• Give UPS your phone number and label tracking number.
• Place your box outside for UPS pickup.