I used NYC’s free program to test my apartment’s drinking water for lead. Here’s how you can too
- Call 311 or use an online form to request a free test to check your tap water
- An estimated 30 percent of NYC water service lines could contain lead
NYC's water supply—often dubbed the “Champagne” of drinking water—arrives unfiltered from upstate reservoirs.
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I’m a paranoid person at heart, so when a good friend told me that he was testing his tap water for lead, I immediately began worrying about my own drinking supply.
As it turns out, I’m not alone. Thousands of New Yorkers have tested their water for lead through New York City’s free testing program since it launched in 1992, according to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
While NYC’s water supply—often dubbed the “Champagne” of drinking water—is lead-free, residential plumbing and pipes can increase the risk of lead exposure for New Yorkers, said DEP spokesperson Robert Wolejsza.
“New York City’s water is delivered from upstate reservoirs through lead-free aqueducts and water mains, and meets or exceeds federal and state health standards,” Wolejsza said. “Lead in privately-owned service lines and household plumbing can increase the risk of lead exposure through drinking water.”
Buildings constructed before 1961 might have service lines made from lead—these are pipes that connect a property to the city’s water main in the street. And any building could have interior plumbing that contains lead. But don’t panic yet: only an estimated 14 percent of NYC’s water service pipes are lead service lines, and another 15 percent could contain lead, Gothamist reported.
I wasn’t sure when my apartment building was constructed, but based on property records (and its retro facade) it was probably constructed before the 1960s. I checked to see if it had lead service lines by using an interactive map from the New York League of Conservation Voters.
It did not, but just to be safe, I requested a free lead test from the DEP on Jan. 2nd and got an ominous-looking box in the mail about a week later. (You can call 311 to request a free lead test or fill out this online form.)
How to use your free lead test
Inside were two large jugs for my water samples, a detailed set of instructions, and a form to fill out to confirm that I had actually followed those instructions. The basic process was as follows: Don’t use your water for six hours. Then fill jug one to the brim with cold water, let the water run for another one to two minutes, and fill up the second jug from the same faucet.
The hardest part of the process was explaining myself to my roommates. The words “lead test” aren’t particularly reassuring, even when accompanied by “no, I don’t think anything is wrong,” and “it’s really just because I’m curious.”
For the test to work, no one in our household could use the water for six hours before I filled up our samples. So, I asked my roommates to give me a heads up if they needed a late night drink, and then got up around 6:30 a.m. on a dark January morning to get to the tap before anyone else could.
I filled up my first bottle with water from my kitchen faucet—and noted on the chain of custody form where I had taken the sample, what time, and when I had last used my water. I repeated this process after waiting for a minute and a half with the water running, as instructed by the DEP. (For a detailed video walking you through this process, check out this DEP video on Youtube.)
I filled out the rest of the form and mailed in my test on Jan. 28th. The kit includes a shipping label and tape to seal your package—so it’s truly free. By Feb. 20th, I had my answer: My apartment was lead-free. Phew!
Even though my water test found no lead, the letter I received from the DEP still contained advice on how to reduce my lead exposure. I was confused—why would I need to take these steps if my water is contaminate-free?
According to Wolejsza, the guidance I received is sent out to everyone who requests a lead test, and includes advice “on how to reduce exposure when the age or material of the household/building’s internal plumbing is unknown,” he said.
What to do if your water contains lead
If your building does contain lead, there are a few steps you can take to stay safe. (You should also check out this excellent guide from the New York Groove for more information.)
NYC’s water is ferried through a vast system of aqueducts from upstate reservoirs like the Catskills. It’s so high-quality that it’s unfiltered, though it is treated with chlorine and other chemicals to disinfect it. If lead is in your tap water, it’s likely because it’s leeched into your drinking water through a building’s pipes.
The safest way to eliminate lead is to eliminate those offending pipes, which all owners will have to do by 2037 under federal law anyway. Unfortunately for renters, that means your landlord needs to agree to foot the bill. As the Groove points out, your landlord might not be eager to jump on such an expensive renovation.
The DEP does offer a pilot program to fund the replacement of lead service lines in the Bronx, and the department can replace lead water service lines itself—though only to buildings it identifies. You can also call your local City Council member to put pressure on your landlord to make the switch.
In the meantime, before you use your water, run it for 30 seconds or more until it runs cold—especially if it’s been unused overnight. Doing so will flush water that’s been sitting in your pipes—and potentially absorbing lead—out down your drain. Use cold water for cooking and drinking, as hot water is more likely to contain lead. Ideally, you should periodically test your water for lead as well.
