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Lead and copper in drinking water, first draw
IRIS laboratory team · EPA / AIHA ELLAP · 7:45
Six-hour stagnation, first-draw volume, and why the age of the property belongs on the form.
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Lead and copper compliance testing uses a first-draw sample: water that has sat in the pipes, collected before any flushing. Container and preservation errors invalidate results, so follow these rules exactly.
The rules for a first draw
- The water must have been stagnant for at least 6 hours.
- Do not flush before sampling.
- Sample from the cold tap, with any kitchen filter bypassed.
- Use the lab-supplied, pre-cleaned HDPE or polyethylene bottle, 250 mL minimum.
- Never use glass. Metals adsorb to glass and bias results low.
Preservation and shipping
- Samples are preserved with HNO₃ to pH below 2, either at collection or by the lab on receipt. Unpreserved samples are not stable for metals.
- Cool to 4°C for shipment.
- Hold time is 6 months once preserved, but do not delay shipment.
- Complete the COC before you ship, including the source type and flushing status.
Coliform sampling is the opposite: you flush for coliform, but never for a first-draw lead sample.
The panel and the limits
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Method | EPA 200.5, ICP |
| LCRR action levels | Lead 15 µg/L, copper 1.3 mg/L |
| Turnaround | 3 to 5 business days |
| Accreditation | NJ NELAP 20045 |
LCRR requires all outlets to be tested in schools and childcare facilities. NJ public schools must test all outlets under N.J.A.C. 6A:26-12.
Forms
- Water: lead and copper, multi-state (PDF): the Watercheck multiple-test form for VA, MD, TN, GA, CA, CT, RI, NY, NJ and NH.
- Drinking water, Virginia (PDF): for Virginia sub-lab analysis.
Chain of custody
Pick the form that matches your test.
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Sign in to downloadWhat you need for this test
100 mL sterile bottle with sodium thiosulfate
BOTL-100-THIO
Neutralises residual chlorine. Required for potable water microbiology.
Insulated shipping cooler, 12 L
COOL-BOX
Sized for overnight courier. Holds 12 bottles and two ice packs.
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