For home buyers, testing for lead in water is a critical step because it is not included in a standard home inspection. Since lead is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, professional testing is the only way to confirm its presence.

Why You Should Consider Testing

• Hidden Risks: Lead often leaches into water from aging infrastructure, such as lead pipes, lead-based solder (common in homes built before 1986), or brass fixtures, rather than from the city’s water supply itself.
• Health Impacts: Lead is a potent neurotoxin. Exposure—especially for children and pregnant individuals—can cause long-term cognitive, behavioral, and developmental issues.
• Investment Value: Discovering lead issues before closing allows you to negotiate repairs or seller concessions. It also helps you budget for necessary upgrades, such as specialized water filtration systems or plumbing replacements.

How to Get Your Water Tested

Since standard home inspections do not cover water quality, you must request it as an additional service.

1. Contact a Certified Lab: The EPA recommends using a state-certified laboratory. You can often find a list through your local health department or water utility’s website.
2. Follow Proper Sampling Protocols: Lead testing requires specific “first-draw” samples (water that has sat in pipes for at least six hours). Improper collection can lead to inaccurate results, so strictly follow the lab’s instructions regarding when and how to fill the sample bottles.
3. Avoid DIY Strips: Low-cost, store-bought test strips are generally not sensitive enough to detect the low, dangerous levels of lead that public health agencies are concerned about. Always opt for professional, lab-grade testing.

Steps to Take If Lead Is Detected

If your results come back with elevated lead levels, it is not necessarily a reason to walk away from a purchase, but it does require a plan:

• Immediate Mitigation: Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula, as hot water dissolves lead more quickly. Flush your pipes by running the tap until the water is noticeably cold before use.
• Certified Filtration: If you choose to use a filter, ensure it is NSF/ANSI 53 certified specifically for lead removal.
• Identify the Source: Work with a licensed plumber to determine if the lead is coming from your home’s internal plumbing or the “service line” (the pipe connecting the home to the water main). In some areas, utility companies may have programs to help identify or replace lead service lines.

Testing your drinking water for lead

This video provides a practical, step-by-step demonstration of how to correctly collect a water sample for lead testing, which is essential for ensuring accurate lab results before you finalize your home purchase.