Suggested Directions for Homeowner Tap Sample Collection Procedures

These samples are being collected to determine the lead and copper levels in your tap water. This sampling effort is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and your State under the Lead and Copper Rule, and is being accomplished through a collaboration between the public water system and their consumers (e.g. residents).  

Collect samples from a tap that has not been used for at least 6 hours. To ensure the water has not been used for at least 6 hours, the best time to collect samples is either early in the morning or in the evening upon returning from work. Be sure to use a kitchen or bathroom cold water tap that has been used for drinking water consumption in the past few weeks. The collection procedure is described below.

1.  Prior arrangements will be made with you, the customer, to coordinate the sample collection. Dates will be set for sample kit delivery and pick-up by water system staff.
2. There must be a minimum of 6 hours during which there is no water used from the tap where the sample will be collected and any taps adjacent or close to that tap. Either early mornings or evenings upon returning home are the best sampling times to ensure that the necessary stagnant water conditions exist.  Do not intentionally flush the water line before the start of the 6 hours.
3. Use a kitchen or bathroom cold-water faucet for sampling. If you have water softeners on your kitchen taps, collect your sample from the bathroom tap that is not attached to a water softener, or a point of use filter, if possible. Do not remove the aerator before sampling. Place the opened sample bottle below the faucet and open the cold water tap as you would do to fill a glass of water. Fill the sample bottle to the line marked “1000-mL” and turn off the water.
4. Tightly cap the sample bottle and place it in the sample kit provided. Please review the sample kit label at this time to ensure that all information contained on the label is correct.
5. If any plumbing repairs or replacement has been done in the home since the previous sampling event, note this information on the label as provided. Also if your sample was collected from a tap with a water softener, note this as well.
6. Place the sample kit in the same location where the kit was delivered so that water system staff may pick up the sample kit.
7. Results from this monitoring effort and information about lead will be provided to you as soon as practical but no later than 30 days after the system learns of the tap monitoring results. However, if excessive lead and/or copper levels are found, immediate notification will be provided (usually 1-2 working days after the system learns of the tap monitoring results).

Results of Lead and Copper in your drinking water