Lead Testing Kit Instructions - English

Disclaimer: The city of Corpus Christi is not responsible for plumbing on the customer side of the meter.  Plumbing, fixtures, faucets and service lines are installed by the builder when a structure is built.  The city of Corpus Christi cannot require residents or businesses to mitigate plumbing with elevated lead levels.

 

Before starting, please note:

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For representative results, water must sit completely undisturbed in the pipes for at least 6 hours. Do not use any water from any tap inside or outside your home for at least 6 hours prior to testing. That includes running water in sinks, flushing toilets, showering, watering the yard, using a dishwasher, washing clothes, using an ice maker or anything else that may require water.

 

When ready, water samples must be collected from an indoor cold water tap that has not been used for at least 6 hours, but not idle for more than 18 hours.  Cold water taps that have not been used for periods longer than 18 hours may not provide a representative result.

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• ​The best time to collect your water sample is early in the morning, or in the evening after you come home from work.

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Your sample kit contains:

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• A plastic bottle with a label on it

  • You will complete the label after the bottle has been filled

• A Chain of Custody Record form with highlighted sections

• Printed instructions for collecting your water sample

• Return shipping label for your water sample 

• Resealable plastic bag

• Bubble wrap or other packing material

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You will also need:

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• The box the kit originally came in

  • You will use this box to return your sample

• A pen to write with

• Box tape

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How to collect the sample:

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• To obtain the most representative sample, select the cold water faucet used most often for drinking and food preparation.

  • Collect the first water that comes out of the tap. You SHOULD NOT let the water run or flush. DO NOT remove the aerator.

 

• Remove the cap from the bottle.

 

• Fill the bottle to the neck.

 

• Place cap on the bottle and close tightly.

 

• Fill out the label on the outside of the bottle. The portion of the label that says “site” is your address. Fill in the date. Fill in the time and indicate morning or evening with AM or PM. (For example, 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM)

 

• Complete the Chain of Custody Record form. A portion of the form will already be completed by Water Utilities staff. You only need to compete the highlighted areas. Those areas are:​​ 

  • Sampler (Signature) – sign your name

  • ​Collection – write the date and time you collected your sample - please be sure and check either the AM or PM box

  • Sampling site – this is your address and the same address you wrote on the bottle label *IMPORTANT: THE LABEL AND CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD FORM MUST MATCH*

  • Relinquished by (Signature) – sign your name

  • Date and time – write the date and approximate time (with AM or PM) you plan on shipping your sample

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• Place the water sample bottle in the bubble wrap, close and put inside the box.

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• Place the Chain of Custody Record form in the resealable plastic bag, close and put inside the box.

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• Tape the box shut and affix the shipping label on the outside of the box with the tape.

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• Drop off your sample at the nearest Federal Express shipping location. Or contact Water Quality by phone at 361-826-1234 to arrange for your sample to be picked up.

 

 **Water samples must be shipped or picked up within 14 days of collection**

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Your water sample will be analyzed by a third party, and results will be sent to Corpus Christi Water Utilities. The Water Utilities staff will prepare an easy-to-understand results report that can be e-mailed or mailed to you. If you have any questions, please call Water Quality at 361-826-1234.

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Thank you for participating in Corpus Christi Water Utilities lead testing program!