Lead Prevention

For information on how to prevent lead in your home, please visit the following websites:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Center for Disease Control

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

TESTING YOUR WATER FOR LEAD

If your water is supplied by a MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIER, such as a city or township, please contact them directly for procedures on how to test your water.

If your water is supplied by a WELL, you can test the water yourself.  In order to do this, you will need to do the following:

  1. Obtain the proper sampling bottles from any District Health Department No.2 location.  (These should be sampling bottles #36CC).  You can also have sampling bottles sent to you by calling the Drinking Water Laboratory at (517) 335-8184 or by visiting http:www.michigan.gov/deq.  The bottles are supplied free of charge.
  2. Before you begin collecting the samples, review the following information as well as the Sample Collection Instructions for unit #36CC found on the back of the Request for Water Analysis form.
  3. When collecting the water from your home, collect the samples from drinking water locations (locations most commonly used to obtain water for drinking/food preparation).  This is commonly the kitchen sink.
  4. The samples should be collected from the drinking water tap after a minimum of six (6) hours of no household water use.  The water for the sample should be the first water used in the house that day.
  5. Once you have collected your samples, fill out the Request for Water Analysis form you received with the collection bottles.  The test code is CCUB and the fee is $26.00.
  6. Mail the samples, along with the completed form, and payment to the address provided on the LOWER BACK portion of the Request for Water Analysis form. Samples can be sent via either the United States Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS. Shipping costs will vary.
    IMPORTANT:  Samples need to arrive at the lab within 14 days of collection.
  7. A report with the results of the water test will be sent to you as well as a copy to the local health department.

If your results come back over .015 PPM (15 PPB), please call District Health Department No. 2 at 1-800- 504-2650 for further guidance.