How to Test Home Water for Heavy Metals

Most American homes receive their drinking water from a municipal water system, which gathers its water from nearby natural resources, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Though the EPA regulates water quality throughout the nation, contaminants can seep into a home's drinking water between EPA audits. For example, homes built before 1986 are prone to lead entering the tap water from pipe corrosion. At home, you can test your tap water for heavy metals by using an at-home kit that you can purchase at any home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy metal screening kit

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Instructions

• 1

  Read the instructions that come with your heavy metal screening kit regarding any special considerations for your home. For example, some kits suggest you test well water directly if your water does not come from a municipal system.

• 2

  Remove the sample containers that come with the heavy metal screening kit. Remove the caps from the containers, but do not touch the inside of the cap or container to prevent contamination.

• 3

  Place the test paper strip inside the sample container, and add the testing solution. Allow the strip and testing solution to sit for at least 30 seconds before adding water.

• 4

  Add the amount of water indicated in the at-home kit instructions using a plastic pipette, included with the kit. Place the lid on the sample container, and shake the container for several seconds to mix the solution with the water.

• 5

  Allow the sample container to stand still for the time indicated in the kit's instruction manual. Wait for the sample strip to change color.

• 6

  Use the heavy metals chart included with your testing kit to compare the color that appears on the testing strip to the indications in the kit. Each kit varies on what color determines what metals or the amount of metals that are present in the water. The faster a testing strip changes color, the higher the concentration of metals present, according to the Better Health Company.