Home Sampling For Lead And Copper (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection - Drinking Water Program

LCR

Chain of Custody (COC)

COC

Home Sampling for Lead and Copper (COM Systems Only*)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESIDENTS FOR HOME SAMPLING

These samples are being collected to determine the contribution of faucet fixtures (kitchen or bath) and household pipes

and/or solder to the lead and copper levels in tap water. This sampling effort is required by the Massachusetts Department

of Environmental Protection, and is being accomplished through the cooperation of homeowners and residents.

A sample is to be collected after an extended period (at least 6 hours) of stagnant water conditions (i.e. no water use

during this period) within the interior piping. Do not intentionally flush the line before the start of the 6 hour period,

rather, use water normally. Due to this requirement, either early mornings or evenings upon returning from work are the

best times for collecting samples. The collection procedure is as follows:

1. Prior arrangements will be made with the homeowner/resident to coordinate sample collection. Dates will be set for

sample kit delivery and pick-up by water department staff.

2. A minimum of a 6-hour period during which there is no water use must be achieved prior to sampling. The

water department recommends that either early morning or upon returning home are the best sampling times to ensure

that the necessary stagnant water condition exists.

3. A wide-mouth bottle must be used to collect the sample. Wide-mouth bottles offer advantages over narrow-mouth

bottles because they allow for a higher flow rate during sample collection. A higher flow rate can result in greater

release of particles and colloidal lead and therefore is more conservation in terms of identifying lead concentrations.

4. A kitchen or bathroom cold-water faucet must be used for the sampling. Do not use a faucet with a treatment

e.g., a filter/softener or other device treating all of the water entering your home (POE) or a

device or filter,

device, exclusively filtering water delivered to the kitchen faucet (POU).

If you have such a device, then collect

the sample from the bathroom. In the kitchen, collection the sample from a single lever faucet should be avoided, if

possible. Do not remove the aerator prior to sampling. Place the open sample bottle under the faucet and open the

cold water tap. Fill the sample bottle to the line marked “1000-mL” and turn off the water.

5. Tightly cap the bottle and place in the sample kit provided Please review the sample kit label at this time to ensure

that all information contained in the label is correct. Complete the COC.

6. Be sure to note on the label provided and on the COC if a plumbing repairs or replacements have been done in

the home since the previous sampling event. Also, if you have a treatment system or home filters, please inform

the water department and indicate this on the COC.

7. Place the sample kit outside the residence in the location where the kit was delivered in order that the water

department may pick-up the sample kit.

8. Results from this monitoring effort will be provided to participating customers when reports are generated for the

State unless excessive lead and/or copper levels are found. In such cases, immediate notification will be provided.

Call ____________________ at ________________if you have any questions regarding these instructions.

For more information on Lead in Drinking Water, see

there-lead-in-my-tap-water.html

Notes:



If the sample is rejected, the collector shall indicate the reason on the COC and provide a copy to the homeowner. The collector must

discard the sample and provide a new sample kit to the homeowner within one week.



Sampling results are a public record.

6/27/2016

Home Sampling For Lead And Copper Page 2

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