From which location are lead and copper samples taken?

Lead and copper samples are specifically taken from point of use sites, which typically consist of plumbing fixtures such as faucets and taps in homes and businesses. This is done to assess the levels of these metals in the water that consumers actually receive. The reason for this focus is that lead and copper can leach into drinking water from plumbing materials, especially in older systems, and the concentration of these metals at the point of use gives a clear picture of the potential exposure risk to consumers.

Sampling at source water facilities, water treatment centers, or distribution reservoirs would not accurately reflect the water quality that reaches the end user. These locations may not account for any contaminants that could leach from local plumbing systems after the water has been treated and distributed. Sampling directly from points of use ensures that the assessment considers all factors that may affect water quality after it leaves the treatment facility.