You cannot see, smell or taste lead. Testing is the only way to know if lead is in your drinking water. When you test for lead, you need to collect two water samples: a first draw and a flush. A first draw sample will tell you if there is lead in your plumbing inside your home. A flush sample will help you find out if the lead is coming from the pipes outside your home.
If you are on a private well or spring, the Health Department recommends testing your water with the Homeowner Testing Package every five years. Both the first draw and flush test kits are included. If you just want to test for lead, order two lead test kits so you can take a first draw and flush sample.
If you are on public water (town or city water), the Health Department recommends testing for lead. It is especially important to test your water if young children or babies drink the water. Order two lead test kits so you can take a first draw and flush sample.
Find out how to order a test kit
How to Test Your Water for Lead
Be sure to follow the instructions that come with your test kit. Take the first draw and flush samples from the tap you most often drink and cook from, usually the kitchen sink.
First Draw
The first draw sample collects the first water that comes out of the tap and tends to have a higher level of lead than water that has been running. Collect the water sample first thing in the morning after the water has been sitting in your pipes for at least 8 hours and before you use any water that day.
Flush
Let the water run for three to five minutes or until the water is as cold as it can get before you collect the sample.