| #Q001 | corrective_action | health | recommended | Corrective Action for Lead Exceedance | drinking water | If your results are above this level, do not drink or use the water to prepare food or baby formula from affected taps. Use bottled water or a certified filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53 with a claim of lead reduction). | If results are above 0.005 mg/L (5 µg/L) | high |
| #Q002 | operational | health | recommended | Exposure Reduction Before Testing | drinking water | Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Run water for at least 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Do not use hot tap water for drinking or cooking. | While waiting for results or if unsure about plumbing materials | high |
| #Q003 | operational | operational | recommended | Aerator Maintenance | drinking water | Every month, inspect the aerators or screens at the tap. If you find debris, clean it out - this will remove any particles that may contain lead, and inspect more frequently. | | high |
| #Q004 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Random Daytime Sampling Preparation | drinking water | Do not open or tamper with bottles before sampling. Keep bottles away from any heat or anything that can damage the bottles. | Testing single-family homes and home daycares | high |
| #Q005 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Random Daytime Sample Collection | drinking water | Sample during the day (not first thing in the morning) from Monday to Thursday. Use cold water taps only . For single-handed faucets, use the cold water setting only. Do not remove aerators or screens. Wash your hands before sampling. Avoid touching the inside of the lid or bottle mouth. Fill bottles completely and cap tightly. Add preservatives if provided by the lab. | Testing single-family homes and home daycares | high |
| #Q006 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sample Storage | drinking water | Store samples in a cooler with frozen ice pack(s) or fridge. Do not freeze the samples. | | high |
| #Q007 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Sample Submission | drinking water | Drop off or ship the same day. If you do not have an accredited lab in your community: Keep samples cold in a cooler with ice packs. Do not freeze. Add preservatives if provided by the lab. Ship samples following the lab’s instructions. Samples should arrive within 24–28 hours to remain valid. Include the chain-of-custody form. | | high |
| #Q008 | administrative | operational | recommended | Multi-unit Testing Coordination | drinking water | Coordinate with condo management or building owner to organize testing across all units at the same time. | Testing multi-unit buildings | high |
| #Q009 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Multi-unit Sample Collection | drinking water | Sample during the day (not first thing in the morning) from Monday to Thursday. Use cold water from the tap or faucet you normally use for drinking or cooking. Do not test hot water. Do not remove aerators or screens. Wash your hands before sampling. Rinse bottles three times before filling. Avoid touching the inside of the lid or bottle mouth. Fill bottles completely and cap tightly. Add preservatives if provided by the lab. | Testing multi-unit buildings | high |
| #Q010 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Public Building Testing Preparation | drinking water | Include all drinking water fountains and taps. Use architectural drawings to track fixtures. | Testing public buildings and businesses | high |
| #Q011 | administrative | operational | recommended | Advanced Sampling Signage | drinking water | Post signage to prevent water use during stagnation. | Only if Random Daytime Sampling shows lead above 0.005 mg/L | high |
| #Q012 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Overnight Stagnation Sample Collection | drinking water | Let water sit for at least 8 hours (overnight). Do not use any water during this time. Take the first sample immediately when the tap is turned on. Do not rinse bottles or remove aerators. Use cold water from the tap or faucet you normally use for drinking or cooking. Do not test hot water. Fill bottles completely and cap tightly. Add preservatives if provided by the lab. | Only if Random Daytime Sampling shows lead above 0.005 mg/L | high |
| #Q013 | monitoring | operational | recommended | 30-Minute Stagnation Sample Collection | drinking water | Run all taps for 5 minutes. Flush toilets to clear pipes. Wait 30 minutes. Do not use water during this time. Collect second sample - Follow same steps as first sample. | Following the Overnight Stagnation Sample | high |
| #Q014 | prohibition | health | recommended | Home Test Kits Prohibition | drinking water | Do not use home test kits. They are often inaccurate and give false results, which may put your health at risk. Use an accredited laboratory instead. | | high |
| #Q015 | administrative | unknown | mandatory | Building Owner Remediation Responsibility | drinking water | If lead is found, any costs for replacing fixtures or plumbing are the responsibility of the building owner. | If lead is found | high |
| #Q016 | monitoring | health | recommended | Lead Testing Recommendation for Older Plumbing | drinking water | If you are unsure about plumbing materials, testing is recommended. | Buildings built or renovated before 2014 (brass fixtures) or 1990 (solder) | high |
| #Q017 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Public Building Sample Collection Procedures | drinking water | Sample during the day (not first thing in the morning) from Monday to Thursday. Use cold water from the tap or faucet you normally use for drinking or cooking. Do not test hot water. Do not remove aerators or screens. Wash your hands before sampling. Rinse bottles three times before filling. Avoid touching the inside of the lid or bottle mouth. Fill bottles completely and cap tightly. Add preservatives if provided by the lab. Store samples in a cooler or fridge. Do not freeze. | Testing public buildings and businesses | high |
| #Q018 | corrective_action | operational | recommended | Multi-unit Remediation Coordination | drinking water | Coordinate remediation across all units. | If lead levels in multi-unit buildings exceed guidelines | high |
| #Q019 | corrective_action | operational | recommended | Public Building Remediation Coordination | drinking water | Coordinate remediation across all areas. | If lead levels in public buildings or businesses exceed guidelines | high |