There are many available state-certified laboratories across the US that offer private, professional testing of both public water and well water supplies that may contain lead. Use a lead test kit, which measures the amount of lead in your water in ppm. This test can also be used to test urine, saliva, foods (i.e. fish), paint, dishes, glasses etc. Additionally this urine test kits for lead can also be used to see how much you & your family have potentially been exposed to lead.

One of the main concerns when extracting from a private water supply is contamination with faecal matter, especially in rural and agricultural areas where the presence of animals and cattle may pollute local water courses. This short-term measure will protect you and your family, but if there are lead pipes or another source of lead present, these should be replaced as soon as possible. How can I find out if there is lead in my drinking water?With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer cost effective environmental support solutions across the whole of the UK and Ireland. Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder. If your home has lead pipes there are short-term measures you can take to reduce the amount of lead in your water. Run the tap to remove water that has been standing in the pipes for long periods, for example, overnight, or if no one has run the taps for several hours. Draw off a washing-up bowlful of water from the kitchen tap once or twice to clear the water which has been standing. This doesn’t need to be wasted, but can be used to water plants or the garden. Using lead-free solder to joint copper pipes which are used for drinking, cooking and washing isn’t just a legal requirement, it safeguards your drinking water.

Having an option to test for additional contaminants alongside lead is incredibly convenient. We found it insightful to learn about our water’s chlorine, hardness, and heavy metals levels alongside its lead content. If your home was built before 1970 it may have lead pipes. If it was built after 1970 it is unlikely to have lead pipes, as for drinking water supplies the installation of new lead pipes and the use of lead solder to join pipes has been banned in the UK for more than 25 years. For most contaminants, EPA sets an enforceable regulation called a maximum contaminant level maximum contaminant levelThe highest level of a contaminant that EPA allows in drinking water. MCLs ensure that drinking water does not pose either a short-term or long-term health risk. EPA sets MCLs at levels that are economically and technologically feasible. Some states set MCLs which are more strict than EPA's. (MCL) based on the MCLG. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible, considering cost, benefits and the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies. Corrosion is a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing. A number of factors are involved in the extent to which lead enters the water, including:The EPA has published a few recommendations to help ensure you're doing your best to catch potential water contaminants: Once you have your detailed drinking water analysis report giving information about the quality of your drinking water and any issues which have been found, you can then make plans for improving the quality of your water… or where this is not possible, to look for an alternative supply. Learn how to identify lead-free certification marks on drinking water system and plumbing products (PDF)

Disclaimer: Only opinions based upon our own personal experience or information detailed in academic journals or other publications is cited. This has been done exclusively for anyone who is interested in this subject but is not intended to replace proper analysis. We cannot accept responsibility and liability of any kind which may result from the application of this information. We always recommend to consult an expert to discuss any test results or get a full recommendation on the specific subject and specific to your situation by an expert. Don’t consume water which has been sitting in the pipe for a while, ie. overnight. Let the water run until it becomes as cold as it can get, one washing up bowl is usually enough. This should be done for every tap – a shower will not flush your kitchen tap. Flushing is important because the longer water is exposed to lead pipes or solder, the more lead it is likely to contain.If a test strip shows a positive result, your water sample may contain lead at a toxic level. Take appropriate action. Industry compliant –This Tap Score lead test conforms to Environmental Protection Agency standards and other industry regulations. Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water. you'll need to run the tap for longer if your cold kitchen tap is more than 50 metres from the water mains To identify lead pipes, look at the pipes leading to your kitchen tap or internal stop-tap (usually under the kitchen sink):