How can I get my tap water tested?

If your home is served by a water system, get a copy of your annual water quality report before you test your water. This report will tell you what contaminants have been found in your drinking water and at what level. After you’ve read this report, you may wish to test for specific contaminants (such as lead) that can vary from house to house, or any other contaminant you’re concerned about. EPA does not test individual homes, and cannot recommend specific laboratories to test your drinking water. States certify water testing laboratories. You may call your state certification officer to get a list of certified laboratories in your state. A list of state certification officers can be obtained at http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/labcert/.  Depending on how many contaminants you test for, a water test can cost from $15 to hundreds of dollars.

• The drinking water I receive from a public water system has an unfamiliar odor and a slight discoloration. I am concerned that this is an indication of lead in my drinking water. What can I do to determine if lead is in my drinking water?
• How can I tell if my water contains too much lead?
• How do I have my water tested for lead?