LCR FAQs

The Lead and Copper Rule has required community water systems to monitor tap water for lead and copper since 1991. Your utility tests regularly to make sure levels stay safe and to catch any issues early, because keeping your community informed and healthy is what matters most. Learn more: Learn more →

Your home was hand-picked as part of a state-approved sample pool. Selection is based on specific criteria such as the age of your home, the type of plumbing materials present, or the type of service line connected to your property. These characteristics make your home a valuable and representative data point for understanding water quality across the full distribution system.

Water quality is not static. Pipes age, plumbing changes, and water chemistry naturally shifts over time. Changes in the source water, seasonal variation, or adjustments to water treatment can all influence how water interacts with the pipes it travels through, and that interaction is what affects your results. That is why ongoing monitoring matters, not a one-time test. Your utility works closely with your state to determine how often sampling occurs. Consistent participation from residents is what allows that program to stay on track and build a reliable record over time.

Lead and copper are metals that can enter tap water through the corrosion of pipes, solder, and plumbing fixtures inside homes and buildings. They do not come from your water source itself. Lead is the bigger concern of the two, and major public health authorities including the EPA's National Lead Information Center are clear that there is no safe level of exposure. Children under six and pregnant women are most at risk. Copper at elevated levels can cause stomach and intestinal issues and, in some cases, more serious health effects.

Your kit includes a sample bottle, instructions, and a Chain of Custody form. Follow the instructions to fill the bottle and complete the form, then place both back in the box. Put the prepaid shipping label over the old one, then drop the box in your mailbox or take it to the post office. You'll receive results by mail within 4 to 6 weeks. If your results are elevated, we'll notify you right away.

No. Your water system covers the cost of your testing kit and lab analysis, so there's nothing for you to pay out of pocket.

A Chain of Custody (CoC) is a form that tracks your water sample from collection to lab analysis. It confirms the sample wasn't altered and includes signatures, dates, and times from everyone who handled it. Before you seal up your kit, take a minute to fill out the CoC completely and sign it. A missing or incomplete form is one of the most common reasons results get delayed, so this small step makes a real difference.

A first-draw sample is the first liter of water to come out of your tap after it has not been used for at least six hours (check your sampling instructions for the exact stagnation requirements). That water has been sitting in direct contact with your faucet and the nearby plumbing, so it gives the clearest picture of what might be in your home's pipes. The best times to collect are first thing in the morning or when you return home in the evening. Use a kitchen or bathroom faucet your household uses regularly for consumption.

A fifth-liter sample is the fifth liter of water from your tap during collection. This water has traveled farther through your plumbing, sometimes through your service line, the pipe connecting your home to the water main. If that line is lead or galvanized, this sample can sometimes show higher lead levels than the first liter. Fifth-liter results don't currently carry regulatory limits the way first-liter results do, but they're still useful information for you and your utility.

If you have a filter attached to your faucet, remove it or bypass it before collecting your sample. Water collected through a filter is typically not accepted for analysis.

Common household filtration and treatment systems include:

• Pitcher filters such as Brita or PUR, which sit on your countertop or in your refrigerator
• Faucet mounted filters that attach directly to the tip of your faucet
• Under sink filters installed beneath the sink and connected to a dedicated tap
• Reverse osmosis systems typically installed under the sink, using a multi stage filtration process
• Whole house filtration systems connected to your main water line where it enters the home
• Water softeners that treat water throughout the home, usually located near the water heater or main line

If any of these systems are present in your home, collect your sample from a cold kitchen or bathroom faucet that does not have a filter or treatment system attached. Collecting through a filter or treatment system will not provide you or your water system with a representative sample of the water coming from the distribution system. Do not remove the small screen on the tip of your faucet before sampling, do not flush the faucet before collecting, and do not collect from a faucet that has a point of use filter. If you are unsure about your setup, reach out to 120Water before sampling and we will help you determine the right approach.

Most home water softeners have a built in bypass valve located behind or on top of the unit near where the water pipes connect. There are three common types:

• Turn valve: Locate the handle or knob and turn it clockwise all the way until it stops
• Push button valve: Firmly press the button until it is flush with the housing. A rubber mallet can help if it is stiff. Do not use a metal hammer
• Lever valve: Move the lever to the position labeled "Bypass"
• Three valve system: Close both the inlet and outlet valves by turning clockwise, then open the center bypass valve by turning counterclockwise

Once sampling is complete, reverse the steps to return your softener to normal service. Watch the video below for a step by step walkthrough, and if you are still unsure, consult your owner's manual or contact 120Water before collecting your sample.

Return your sample as soon as possible after collecting it. EPA testing methods require your sample to reach the lab within 14 days of collection. After that window closes, the sample may no longer give an accurate result, and the lab may not be able to accept it at all. A quick turnaround is the best way to make sure your test counts.

Your sample goes directly to a certified lab for testing. We'll check your Chain of Custody form to make sure everything needed is included and that your sampling instructions were properly followed. Once results are ready, you'll receive a letter in the mail (or an email). Your result gives you a clear answer about the water quality in your own home, and it also helps your utility see the bigger picture and make informed decisions for your whole community.

You'll receive your test results by mail within 4 to 6 weeks of returning your sample kit. If you need another copy sooner, just reach out to 120Water and we'll email one to you.

If your results show elevated levels of lead or any other substance, check your results letter for next steps. You can also contact your water utility or local health department with any questions.