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The easiest and safest way to measure both tap and well water for lead is using a lead water test kit.
Thereby, you can choose between do-it-yourself lead test strips and professional send-away test kits. Option 1 is more affordable, but the latter provides much more accurate and thus reliable results. And when lead testing, accuracy is key – there is no safe lead level in drinking water.
So, here is our collection of the 6 best lead water test kits. Enjoy!
Contents
- 1 Best Lead Water Test Kits – Top Picks
- 2 Best Lead Water Test Kit Reviews
- 2.1 1. Best Overall: Tap Score Lead and Copper Water Test
- 2.2 2. Best for Complete Analysis: Tap Score Essential City Water Test
- 2.3 3. Best for Complete Analysis: Tap Score Essential Well Water Test
- 2.4 4. Best for Instant Results: Varify 17 in 1 Premium Drinking Water Test Kit
- 2.5 5. Most Analytes Tested: SpringWell Water Test Kit
- 2.6 6. Best for Expert Report Consultation: Quality Water Treatment Lite Water Test Kit
- 3 Water Testers/Testing Kits for Lead – Comparison Chart
- 4 Buyer’s Guide – How to Buy the Best Water Lead Test Kit (+ How We Tested)
- 5 Who Should Test Their Water for Lead?
- 6 Ways Lead May Enter Your Water Supply
- 7 How to Test Tap/Well Water for Lead?
- 8 When to Test Your Home Water?
- 9 Reasons We Do Not Suggest Do-It-Yourself Lead Testing
- 10 Learning About Your Water Quality
- 11 What to Do if You Find Lead In Your Water Supply?
- 12 Lead In Drinking Water – Are There Any Health Effects?
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 14 Conclusion
Best Lead Water Test Kits – Top Picks
| Products | Specs & Features | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall
Tap Score Lead Water Test ★★★★★ |
| |
Most Comprehensive for Tap Water
Tap Score City Water Test ★★★★★ |
| |
Most Comprehensive for Well Water
Tap Score Well Water Test ★★★★★ |
| |
#1 DIY Kit  Varify 17 in 1 ★★★ ☆ ☆ |
|
Best Lead Water Test Kit Reviews
The order of the following water lead test kit reviews is deliberate. Our favorite products are at the top.
1. Best Overall: Tap Score Lead and Copper Water Test
In our opinion, the best lead water test kit in 2023 is the Tap Score Lead and Copper Water Test.
The send-away test kit comes with everything you need to collect a water sample and send it to the Tap Score lab.
Standardized testing is then carried out per the EPA method 200.8. After a few days, you’ll receive 100% precise and reliable results.
See More Product Images at mytapscore.com
Main Specs
- Price: $
- Type: Professional lab test
- Analytes: 3
- Testing standards: EPA 200.8
- Turnaround time: 5 days
- Return shipping: Free
- Best for: The Tap Score Lead and Copper Water Test is best for testing for lead on a small budget.
Pros
- The test targets lead in your water supply specifically.
- Testing is conducted according to standard/method EPA 200.8 and gives accurate and reliable results.
- Besides lead, the test also determines water pH and copper concentration in your water supply.
- Water pH indicates your overall water quality; too acidic or alkaline water can corrode a plumbing system.
- The test kit has everything needed to collect and send away a water sample: Vial, shipping container, instructions, and prepaid shipping label.
- Results can take up to 5 days after the lab has received your sample.
- You get a customized report sent to your email – including a detailed analysis of copper and lead concentrations in your water.
- The information also includes standard health risk evaluation and treatment solution options.
Cons
- Kit only tests your water for lead, copper and pH. No other analytes are measured.
2. Best for Complete Analysis: Tap Score Essential City Water Test
The Tap Score Essential City Water is best if you’re on tap water and want a more comprehensive water test. Here’s why:
- In addition to lead, it tests your water for pH, fluoride, nitrate, hardness, iron, chlorine, and many other water parameters and contaminants.
- The tests are conducted according to industry standards (ASTM, EPA, and others) by a certified laboratory.
- You get a comprehensive email report including your water analysis results, potential health risks, and impartial treatment solutions (product recommendations).
Simply put, it’s an all-in-one package, five stars!
See More Product Images at mytapscore.com
Main Specs
- Price: $$
- Type: Professional lab test
- Analytes: 45
- Testing standards: EPA, ASTM[1] & other
- Turnaround time: 5 days
- Return shipping: Free
- Best for: The Tap Score Essential City Water Test is best for complete tap water analysis.
Pros
- Standard water quality analysis for homes and buildings serviced by a public water utility.
- Tests your water for 45 parameters, contaminants and impurities that affect water aesthetics and those that can have detrimental effects on health. This includes minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, fluoride), heavy metals (copper, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, lead, aluminum), and overall basic water chemistry (pH, hardness, alkalinity, and TDS).
- Includes a DIY test strip for free and total chlorine.
- If you want even more comprehensive testing you can choose:
- Advanced City Water Test: Checks water for 108 analytes (disinfection byproducts, additional metals, chloramine, volatile organic compounds).
- Extended City Water Test: Checks water for 116 analytes (radioactive particles, HAAs, and contaminants currently not regulated).
- Tests are performed conforming to ASTM, EPA and other standard industry methods.
- The testing package comes with everything you need to collect and submit a water sample.
- Return label and container, instructions, vial.
- Shipping is free of cost.
- You’ll get results 5 days after the lab receives the water sample.
- You receive a comprehensive water assessment report through email. It includes the level of analytes present in your water compared to public health standards, potential health risks, aesthetic issues, and plumbing problems. The report also highlights possible water treatment options – think product recommendations.
Cons
- Though it’s not too expensive, the lead water test kit doesn’t come cheap either.
- You won’t get the results right away.
3. Best for Complete Analysis: Tap Score Essential Well Water Test
The Tap Score Essential Well Water Test kit is best for residential homes on a private well, if you want to test your water for more than just lead.
Perhaps you cannot risk getting inaccurate testing results for your drinking water, and Tap Score takes care of that. It is a verified, professional lab that’ll give you the most precise measurements.
On top of that, the company conducts the tests following the EPA and other organizations’ official standards.
What else is good? As mentioned, the package does not only test your water for lead but around 50 water analytes and impurities, including heavy metals, water chemistry and coliform bacteria.
See More Product Images at mytapscore.com
Main Specs
- Price: $$$
- Type: Professional lab test
- Analytes: 51
- Testing standards: EPA, ASTM & other
- Turnaround time: 5 days
- Return shipping: Free
- Best for: The Tap Score Essential Well Water Test is ideal for complete well water analysis.
Pros
- A standard water analysis report for homes on private wells.
- Tests water for 51 parameters and impurities including E Coli, turbidity, silica, LSI, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), arsenic, manganese, mercury, chloride, thallium, uranium, antimony, coliform, nitrate, nitrite, lead, iron, alkalinity hardness and more.
- Testing also covers aesthetic water issues.
- Includes DIY test strips for hydrogen sulfide.
- If you want even more comprehensive testing you can choose:
- Advanced Well Water Test: Tests water for 111 analytes, including pollutants emanating from nearby industrial/human activities (industrial and agricultural waste) and disinfection byproducts.
- Extended Well Water Test: Tests your water for 182 items, such as typical industrial and agricultural impurities (radioactive particles, tannins, pesticides, and more).
- Tests conform to industry standards and methods.
- Shipping is free.
- The testing kit comes with all the materials required to collect and send the sample.
- Vials, instructions, cold pack and container, return shipping label.
- Turnaround time is 5 days after the lab receives your water sample.
- You receive a comprehensive report highlighting all your water issues. Aside from contaminant concentrations, the report also compares the detected levels to standard public health guidelines and recommends suitable treatment products.
Cons
- Results are not spontaneous; you need to wait for a few days.
- Little expensive compared to standard DIY test kits.
4. Best for Instant Results: Varify 17 in 1 Premium Drinking Water Test Kit
In our opinion, the best DIY lead water test kit in 2023 is the Varify 17 in 1 Premium Drinking Water Test Kit.
The DIY water test kit tests for 17 analytes total, one of them being lead.
However, the results are not quite as impressive as they are with a Tap Score kit, because they lack precision. You are provided with a color chart, and you have to match the color of the wet strip with it. Simply put, the results are somewhat based on your gut feeling.
This is troublesome since there are no safe lead levels in drinking water. An improper test can pose a threat to your health, so if validity is of prime importance to you, go with one of the send-away test kits reviewed above.
☆
See More Product Images at amazon.com
Main Specs
- Price: $
- Type: Do-it-yourself lead test
- Analytes: 17
- Testing standards: EPA
- Turnaround time: Immediate
- Return shipping: –
- Best for: The Varify 17 in 1 is ideal for getting instant results about lead levels.
Pros
- A budget-friendly option to test your water for lead.
- Works for several sources, including city and well water.
- Includes 100 strips for multiple tests. As such, you can stay updated about your water quality.
- Test your water for commonly found water impurities including sodium chloride, hydrogen sulfide, E. coli, lead, iron, manganese, fluoride, nitrate and nitrite, total chlorine, sulfate, pH, mercury, and alkalinity.
- Lead levels can be measured in increments of 0, 5, 15, 30, and 50 ppb, which is ideal.
- E. coli testing is EPA-approved.
- Easy-to-follow instructions.
- Immediate results.
- 24/7 live chat support.
Cons
- Lack of precision is the biggest problem. It all depends on the right timing and accurate color matching.
- A few users complained that strips did not work at all.
5. Most Analytes Tested: SpringWell Water Test Kit
SpringWell’s Water Test Kit is another send-in lead water test kit that also checks your water for more than 70 other analytes.
Testing is conducted by the National Testing Laboratories – a highly professional and renowned lab chain.
See More Product Images at springwellwater.com
Main Specs
- Price: $$$
- Type: Professional lab test
- Analytes: 75
- Turnaround time: 2-3 weeks
- Return shipping: Costs extra
- Best for: The SpringWell Test Kit is ideal for testing most analytes.
Pros
- Tests your water for lead and 74 more analytes, including aluminum, turbidity, hardness, pH, TDS, cadmium, calcium and magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, zinc, mercury, selenium, iron, nickel, total coliform and zinc.
- Proficient testing process.
- Includes all the materials required to collect the water samples.
- Detailed and straightforward instructions.
- Comprehensive test results include information about a suitable water filter system for your home.
Cons
- Return shipment requires you to pay extra. Besides, you must use overnight postage.
- Few users reported delayed test results (taking up to 3 weeks). According to the company, the turnaround time is generally between 10 to 15 business days.
6. Best for Expert Report Consultation: Quality Water Treatment Lite Water Test Kit
The Lite Water Test Kit by Quality Water Treatment tests your water for 7 inorganic chemicals, 22 heavy metals, 5 physical factors (TDS, hardness and water pH among others), minerals and, of course, lead.
See More Product Images at qualitywatertreatment.com
Main Specs
- Price: $$$
- Type: Professional lab test
- Analytes: 34
- Turnaround time: 2-3 weeks
- Return shipping: Costs extra
- Best for: The Quality Water Treatment Lite Water Test Kit is best for expert report consultation.
Pros
- Test your water for a total of 34 analytes.
- You also have the option for the Standard Water Test Kit: It tests your water for 47 VOCs and 4 trihalomethanes. The Basic Water Test Kit tests for 34 items, including coliform bacteria.
- The sampling procedure is quite easy because of straightforward instructions.
- Your water quality report includes information about the detected contaminants in your water and their levels.
- Based on the report, the Quality Water Treatment suggests water filters and water softeners to resolve your water problems.
Cons
- Lead, uranium, nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, and mercury are the only elements specified on the product description page. Simply put, there is no mention of other items.
- You need to pay for return shipping.
Water Testers/Testing Kits for Lead – Comparison Chart
How do the best water lead test kits perform when directly compared to each other?
| Kit | Price | Type | Analytes | Testing Standards | TAT | Return Shipping | Best For | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tap Score Lead and Copper Water Test | $ | Lab | 3 | EPA 200.8 | 5 Days | Free | Best Water Lead Test Kit for Small Budgets | |
| Tap Score Essential City Water Test | $$ | Lab | 45 | EPA, ASTM | 5 Days | Free | Best for Comprehensive Tap Water Analysis | |
| Tap Score Essential Well Water Test | $$$ | Lab | 51 | EPA, ASTM | 5 Days | Free | Best for Comprehensive Well Water Analysis | |
| Varify 17 in 1 Premium Drinking Water Test Kit | $ | DIY | 17 | EPA | – | – | Best for Instant Results | |
| SpringWell Water Test Kit | $$$ | Lab | 75 | – | 2-3 Weeks | Costs Extra | Best for Most Analytes Tested | |
| Quality Water Treatment Lite Water Test Kit | $$$ | Lab | 34 | – | 2-3 Weeks | Costs Extra | Best for Expert Consultation of Report |
Buyer’s Guide – How to Buy the Best Water Lead Test Kit (+ How We Tested)
Here’s our buying guide with everything you need to know about how to buy the best lead water test kit.
The Type of Water Source
Generally, water tests are designed for a particular water source. For example, a few tests are formulated specifically for well water. Others are designed for pool water, municipal water, aquariums, etc.
Therefore, before you buy a lead test kit, double-check it’s compatible with your type of water source.
DIY Lead Test Strips vs. Send-Away Kits
We shared and reviewed both DIY lead test strips and send-away kits. However, we highly recommend send-away kits over DIY strips for good reasons:
- Experts handle send-away kits. Professionals use standardized procedures to test your water for lead in a certified laboratory. On the flip side, DIY lead tests are vulnerable to errors.
- More precise results. Tests carried out under the supervision of experts are much more accurate and valid than DIY test strips. When doing your own testing, chances are you won’t get very accurate results.
- Comprehensive contamination detection. Some send-away lead water test kits also analyze your water for various other analytes, including contaminants (heavy metals, chemicals, etc.), physical water parameters, and impurities (including minerals). On the contrary, DIY tests are often limited to detecting 1 or just a few analytes.
Testing Process and Precision
Tests carried out by an EPA-certified laboratory or state are undoubtedly highly precise. But the accuracy of the results also depends on how you collect the water sample; make sure you do not commit any errors.
Unfortunately, the scenario is pretty different for DIY test strips measuring lead concentrations. Yes, DIY strips come with detailed and easy-to-follow instructions. However, the procedure can be a little odd and highly prone to errors.
Usually, you’re asked to dip the strip in the water for 2-3 seconds. Then, you have to remove excess water and wait for a set time period to examine the strip and chart color for the next minute or so. To us, this doesn’t sound like a valid method.
What’s more, a few DIY test kits only determine the presence of lead in your water. That is, the strips do not measure the exact amount of lead. This is not something you should overlook because there is no safe amount of lead in drinking water. Even the EPA says so.[2]
Frankly speaking, reliability is the key factor when you’re testing your water for lead. If you do not know the amount of lead, you’re compromising on your health and that of your family – not good!
Other Analytes
Does the lead testing kit check your water for other impurities?
While lead testing is of prime importance here, it doesn’t indicate that you’re not exposed to other water contaminants. Even if there’s no lead in your water, chemicals, other heavy metals, and several microorganisms can still be lurking in your water supply.
Therefore, it’s best to go with a test kit that gives a detailed water quality report for all common well and tap water impurities.
The Report
An authentic laboratory will send you a comprehensive analysis of your water quality.
The water contaminants are automatically measured against state limitations and public health guidelines.
Besides, a good service provider also highlights other issues related to aesthetics and plumbing systems, and their possible side effects.
Lastly, it should suggest unbiased treatment solutions.
Turnaround Time
DIY test kits win here as they provide quick results. As soon as you dip your test strip, you can read the lead levels in your water in the next few seconds.
On the contrary, a send-away test kit can take up to 3 weeks until completion.
Price
Getting your water tested by a certified lab can easily cost you hundreds of dollars.
Conversely, do-it-yourself lead test strips come in much cheaper. You can purchase a kit for less than $50.
Who Should Test Their Water for Lead?
If you cannot remember the last time you tested your water for lead, don’t worry, you’re not alone; many people are in the same boat.
Unless we experience an unpleasant water taste or a bad odor, we tend to not bother to check our drinking water quality.
More often than not, we assume that the municipal board treats our water perfectly – tap water that is. However, we fail to comprehend that the filtration process may not remove every last contaminants. In other words, your water probably isn’t 100% clean.
Even worse, the water is prone to downstream contamination as it flows to your house from the treatment utility. Yes, your water needs to pass through a long system of service lines before you can finally utilize it.
If you’re on a private well the water doesn’t get any treatment whatsoever, unless you take care of it. And well water is often even more exposed to contaminants because of nearby agricultural and industrial sites.
Long story short, if you haven’t tested your water for lead and other contaminants in a while, make sure you test it now.
Old Homes
Houses constructed before 1986 are particularly prone to lead contamination.
It was during this year that lead pipes were banned first. And in 2014, new laws limited the legal lead limit to 0.25% from 8% allowed previously in residential pipes.
So, if you live in a home built before 1986 (2014), you need to test your water for lead.
Lead Pipes
While lead pipes – also known as lead service lines – were banned in 1986, the government didn’t restrict already existing underground pipes.
In fact, data shows that around 15-22 million US citizens are supplied with lead-contaminated water.[3]
So perhaps we cannot wind up the topic saying your water is lead-free if you live in a house built after the 1980s. Therefore, in the best-case scenario, we suggest you take action today and test your water for lead.
Ways Lead May Enter Your Water Supply
Sadly, there are several ways lead can make its way into your home water. We’ve listed a few below.
- Small pipes, also known as lead goosenecks, connect your home water supply to the main service line. These pipes can contain lead.
- Copper pipes. Houses constructed before 1986 often used lead solder, which is highly toxic.
- Taps. Your home’s faucets and fixtures may have lead in them.
- Old well pumps. Pumps of old wells can also contribute to lead in your water. It’s time to examine them!
How to Test Tap/Well Water for Lead?
The good news is, naturally occurring lead is not commonly found in water.
Nonetheless, service lines of public water systems as well as your home pipelines, solders, and fixtures may contain lead that can easily make its way into your water.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, it’s best to test your water for lead contamination.
How to test water for lead? Fortunately, the testing procedure is easy-to-follow. You can use DIY strips to test your water at home or collect a water sample and send it away to a certified laboratory for professional testing.
- When conducting your own testing, you’re required to follow the manual instructions. Normally, you need to take a glass, fill it up with water and dip a test strip to check the results.
- For send-away kits, collect your water sample in a container that comes along. Once done, seal the container and send it off.
When to Test Your Home Water?
During the day, you are constantly using water, and running water does not indicate the true amount of lead. So the catch is to leave your water unused for a couple of hours.
Generally, our water stays in the pipes unused overnight. Thus, testing your water in the morning would be ideal, when it hasn’t been used for at least six hours.
The related instructions are also displayed in your test kit.
How Frequently Should You Test?
Lead is not evenly distributed in water. So, carrying out a single test from the same source won’t give you reliable results.
If you want to determine the exact amount of lead in your water, make sure you collect multiple samples from different sources in your home. For example, draw a sample from the kitchen, bathroom and the basement.
It may very well be possible that the first collected sample may not show lead contamination, while the next one does.
Bottom line, it’s best to carry out several tests from multiple sources around your home.
Reasons We Do Not Suggest Do-It-Yourself Lead Testing
DIY testing sounds like a convenient, affordable and straightforward option to know about lead levels in your water.
Kits typically cost around $20-$30.
You need to fill a glass of water, dip the test strip, and match its color with the chart, and you’re good to go.
On the surface this feels pretty easy, but does it work?
Here’s why we don’t recommend DIY testing:
- Some kits only indicate the presence but not the exact lead concentration. Because there are no safe lead levels in drinking water, you better not overlook this.
- We carried out several DIY tests for lead ourselves. The results were so quick that we failed to measure them precisely. Typically, you need to match the strip’s color with a chart, which is intuitive.
- What’s more, you only have a few moments to check the results.
Hence we suggest you go for a send-away lead water test kit and let a laboratory expert conduct the testing. Yes, you would need to spend some extra money and wait for a few days, but the results you get will be far more accurate than what any DIY test kit can ever give you.
Learning About Your Water Quality
Here are a few ways you can learn about your local water quality without conducting actual tests.
Contacting the Water Utility
You can ask for a water quality report, also called Consumer Confidence Report, from your local water supplier.
The Environmental Protection Agency has made it compulsory for every water utility to test their water for its quality and share the reports with consumers for free.
So reach out directly or go online to have a look at these reports.
The reports should display the amount of detected lead if any is present.
Examining Your Plumbing System
If you live in an old home – built before 1986 – you are at a higher risk of having lead in your water. Remember: Old pipes and solders are more prone to lead contamination.
So, it’s best to inspect your plumbing system. In the best-case scenario, you can also check the main pipe connecting the city line to your house water.
You will know right away whether these pipes are made of copper or lead.
Conversely, black or grey pipes can be checked through a simple test. Here’s how you can find out if they are made of steel or lead:
- For covered pipes, you need to peel off the wrapper. A short section will be enough.
- Take a coin, key or screwdriver to scrape the pipe’s surface. If the scraped part reveals a shiny or silver surface, it’s a lead pipe.
- Besides, you can take a magnet and try sticking it to the pipe. Lead does not pull magnets, so if it sticks the pipe is not made of lead.
Let a Professional Company or Local Water Expert Test Your Water
Get in touch with a local water treatment company to know about the amount of lead in your water.
Surprisingly, a few water filter brands offer free water testing.
Additionally, you can see Home Depot and Lowe’s websites to know about sellers who offer free tests. The professionals can give you the best recommendations and guide you about the type and concentration of impurities in your water.
All you need to do is fill out a form and book an appointment.
What to Do if You Find Lead In Your Water Supply?
Here’s what you can do if your home water tests positive for lead.
Remove the Lead Source
Ideally, it’s best to get rid of the lead source entirely. For instance, a lead tap, old pipes or an old well pump could contribute to lead in your water supply and it’s best to replace them immediately.
If that feels impossible, you can take a few other steps as described next.
Install a Lead Water Filter
Fortunately, several water filters can remove lead from water. You just need to ensure you purchase the right type, with a media designed to target lead, in particular, possibly besides other contaminants.
Here are a few water filter media on the market that effectively eliminate lead.
- Catalytic or activated carbon
- KDF
- Cation exchange resin
- Reverse osmosis membranes
The good news is, sophisticated water filters can remove 99% of lead from your house water.
And some even feature a whole house design, meaning they remove lead from all water sources in your home.
That said, make sure you go for an NSF-certified lead water filter. Filters gone through NSF standard 53 testing for lead are guaranteed to eliminate the heavy metal effectively.
About Carbon Filters
Some carbon filters work great to remove/reduce lead. But a few factors restrict their efficacy. These include.
- Lead concentration in your water. If your home water has high lead levels, the carbon filter wears out quickly. Therefore, you might need to use different media or replace the filter regularly.
- Other impurities. If your home water has several other contaminants, they’ll compete with lead to get absorbed in the filter medium. So, the reduction rate goes down automatically.
Other Ways to Curb Lead Exposure
Are you still not sure how to get rid of lead from your water? If so, here are a few other ways.
- Flushing before using water decreases the amount of lead. It’s best to follow this practice early in the morning. As mentioned, lead concentrations are higher in stagnant water. But make sure to not waste everything. Instead, water your plants or do the dishes,
- Avoid hot water usage. Hot water has more lead in it. So, make sure you avoid it when cooking or drinking.
- Consider bottled water. The legal lead limit set by the FDA is 5 ppb[4] for bottled water. This means drinking bottled water can reduce your lead intake. However, not all that glitters is gold. Bottled water comes with many plastic toxins like microplastics. Therefore, it can have detrimental effects on your health, too. On top of that, it’s costly.
While these methods work, they do not offer a permanent solution. Ideally, it’s best to go with a lead water filter or remove what’s causing the lead contamination in the first place.
Lead In Drinking Water – Are There Any Health Effects?
We’ve said this multiple times: There is no safe amount of lead in drinking water. Adults and children alike are prone to health issues due to lead contamination. Here are a few side effects in adults:
- High blood pressure
- Reproductive issues
- Heart diseases
- Kidney problems
Effects on children’s health include:
- Reduced IQ
- Slow growth
- Behavioral problems
- Brain and nervous system damage
- Speech and vision problems
- Problems with learning
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are home lead water tests accurate?
Do-it-yourself test kits often miss accuracy. This is why we recommend going with a send-away test kit in order to determine lead levels.
Can you test your own water for lead?
Yes, you can. You can use one of the above lead water test kits for this. We recommend running a professional test conducted in a certified laboratory.
How do you know if lead is in your water?
The best way to find out if there’s lead in your water supply is doing your own testing. As an alternative, you can check your latest Water Quality Report. The problem here, though, is that downstream contamination is not taken into account.
How do you get rid of lead in water?
Ideally, you remove the lead source directly. For instance, this can mean replacing the old pipes in your plumbing system. If removing the lead source isn’t possible, you should install a water filter capable of removing lead.
What is the acceptable level of lead in drinking water?
Simply put, there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body over time. It should not be contained in drinking water no matter how low the amount.
Conclusion
A lead water test kit can help you determine lead levels in your home water supply. But, make sure to choose one that provides accurate results suited for your type of water source. Our favorite kit is the Lead and Copper Water Test by Tap Score. If you also want to test for other water contaminants, impurities and parameters we recommend Tap Score’s Essential City/Well Water Test. If you’re on a budget check the Varify 17 in 1 DIY lead test strips.
If you have questions about these or any other water lead test kits please leave a comment below!
Further Reading
- Best Water Filters for Lead
- Does a Water Softener System Reduce Lead?
- Can You Taste Lead in Water?
- Can You Remove Lead from Water by Boiling it?
Resources
- [1] https://www.astm.org/
- [2] https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
- [3] https://www.apmreports.org/story/2020/05/04/epa-lead-pipes-drinking-water
- [4] https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/lead-food-foodwares-and-dietary-supplements
His credo: Not a single American should have to drink unhealthy water at home.