If you're interested in checking to see if lead is leaching from your household plumbing into your home's tap water, you should get your water tested. Below is a list of labs that are DEP Certified to test household tap water for lead. Visit the DEP web site for more information and a searchable database of labs.
How to Take a Tap Water Sample for Testing
MWRA recommends taking samples from the kitchen's cold water faucet.
The first sample should be taken in a manner similar to what is recommended by EPA regulation. This includes sampling the "first flush" of water that has been standing dormant (unused) for six or more hours, usually overnight. This first flush sample tests the worst-case scenario of the water and determines how much lead may be leaching from your household plumbing.
The second sample is more representative of your daily water use, and should be taken after running the faucet. MWRA recommends taking the second sample after running the faucet for two minutes or after normal water use in the morning.
If you have any questions, please call the MWRA Water Quality Hotline: (617) 242-5323, or contact your local water department.
DEP Certified Testing Labs: Lead Testing Centers
Please note that prices are subject to change. Please contact the labs for current prices.
| City/Town | Lab Information |
|---|---|
| Agawam | Eurofins Spectrum Analytical LLC Tel: (413) 789-9018 11 Algren Drive, Agawam MA, 01001-0000 Cost: $25.00 Transport: pick up container, mail or drop it off. |
| Ayer | Nashoba Analytical LLC Tel: (978) 391-4428 31A Willow Rd., Ayer MA, 01432-0000 Cost: contact lab directly for details Transport: pick up container, mail or drop it off. |
| Danvers | Northeast Environmental Lab Tel: (978) 777-4442 41 Dayton Street, Danvers, MA 01923 Cost: $50.00 for 2 samples Turnaround time: 5-10 days Transport: pick up container, mail or drop it off. |
| East Longmeadow | Con-Test Analytical Tel: (413) 525-2332 39 Spruce St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Cost: $20.00 per sample $75.00 minimum Turnaround time: 10 days Transport: by mail or courier |
| Mansfield | Alpha Analytical Labs Tel: (508) 822-9300 320 Forbes Blvd., Mansfield, MA 02048 Cost: Contact lab directly for details Turnaround time: 2 weeks Transport: pick up container, mail or drop it off. |
| Middleborough | Analytical Balance Corp. Tel: (508) 946-2225 422 West Grove St., Middleboro, MA Cost: $17.00 Turnaround time: 7-10 days Transport: pick up container, mail or drop it off. |
| Sandwich | Envirotech Laboratories, Inc. Tel: (508) 888-6460 449 Route 130, Sandwich, MA 02563 Cost: $25.00 Turnaround time: 3-4 business days Transport: pick up container, mail or drop it off. |