LCR FAQs

The Lead and Copper Rule has been in place since 1991, and it requires every community water system in the United States to regularly monitor tap water for lead and copper. Your utility tests the water on an ongoing basis to make sure levels are safe and to catch anything that might need attention before it becomes a bigger concern. Because at the end of the day, keeping your community healthy and informed is what matters most.

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.

If your water test results show elevated levels of lead or copper, try not to panic. Your results letter will include next steps specific to your situation. You can also contact your water utility or local health department if you have further questions or concerns.

This sample kit includes a bottle, instructions, and a chain of custody form. You will read the instructions, fill your sample bottle, and complete your chain of custody form. Place the filled sample bottle and chain of custody form back in the box, adhere the prepaid shipping label over the previous label, and drop it in your mailbox or take it to the post office. Results are typically mailed to you within 4-6 weeks of returning your kit. If your results show elevated levels, you will be notified promptly.

A Chain of Custody (CoC) is a document tracking the possession, handling, and storage of a water sample from collection to laboratory analysis. It ensures sample integrity, proving it was not altered or contaminated, and includes signatures of everyone who handled it, along with date and time of collection. A CoC is required for a sample to be approved for analysis.

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 immediate plumbing. The EPA recommends testing this first liter because it gives the clearest picture of what is, or is not, present in your home's plumbing. The best times to collect are first thing in the morning or when you return home in the evening. When it is time to collect, use a kitchen or bathroom faucet that your household uses regularly for consumption.

A fifth liter sample is the fifth liter of water to come out of your tap during a collection. This water has been sitting farther inside your plumbing system, potentially in your service line, the pipe that connects your home to the water main. In some cases, particularly where a service line is made of lead or galvanized iron, this sample can reveal higher amounts of lead than the first liter. It is worth noting that depending on your state's and utility's requirements, fifth liter results do not currently carry regulatory limits the way first liter results do, but they are a valuable informational tool 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 quickly as possible after collection. Prompt return ensures the laboratory can process it using EPA required methods and that your sample does not sit longer than the maximum allowable 14 days.

Your sample goes directly to a certified laboratory for analysis. Your Chain of Custody (CoC) will be checked to make sure we have all the information needed to analyze your sample. Once results are available you will typically receive a letter in the mail notifying you of your individual result. Your utility reviews all results as part of its ongoing effort to monitor water quality and make sure your community continues to be protected. Your sample tells two stories at once. It gives you a direct and personal window into the water quality at your own tap, and it helps your utility build a clearer picture of water quality across the whole community.

You will receive a copy of your test results by mail within 4-6 weeks of returning your sample kit. If you need your results sooner, reach out to 120Water and we can email them to you directly.