NEA has a Residential and Light Commercial water-testing program for lead and copper in tap water. The presence of lead or copper in tap water is primarily due to corrosion of plumbing system components within buildings. Plumbing components include copper pipes,lead-based solder used to join segments of copper pipe, and faucets made from brass that contain lead.

LEAD/COPPER SAMPLE SITE LOCATIONS

• Sites for lead and copper testing must be locations generally used for drinking water consumption. This would include kitchen and bathroom sinks, break room sinks, drinking fountains, etc.


• DO NOT collect lead and copper samples from mop sinks, outside faucets, etc.


• A site that is not normally used for drinking water, but can be (such as a bathroom sink in a business that has a break room- chances are good that the bathroom sink is seldom used for drinking, but an employee COULD use it) is considered a viable sample location and should be part of the sample site pool if there are not enough other sources to round out the required number of sites.

LEAD/COPPER SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

• Flush lines with cold water prior to letting them sit for the 6-hour hold time.


• Allow fixture to remain unused for a minimum of 6 hours.


• Collect a 1st draw sample (stick bottle under faucet before turning on the faucet).


• Use the cold faucet for filling the sample bottle. DO NOT USE HOT WATER.


• Try to collect the sample within 6-8 hours after the fixture has been flushed and shut off. You have 5 days from sample collection to return the bottles to the lab for analysis.

In 1992, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set action levels for lead and copper in standing samples collected from homes with high risk for elevated lead and copper levels in order to protect human health.

• The action level for copper (Cu) is 1.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 1.3 parts per million (PPM) of water


• The action level for lead (Pb) is 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 15 parts per billion (PPB) of water

If you receive a Lead or Copper result greater than the levels listed above please contact your Local Municipal Water Authority, County Health Department or the NYS Department of Health for advice.

Please fill out the following sheet and return sample(s) to:

Northeast Analytical Inc

If you have any questions please contact Ann Casey at 518-346-4592 ext 23 or Email: annc@nealab.com

LEAD COPPER COLLECTION COC