In the Water Metals Section of the Water Test Kit Store we offer quick and easy tests for a number of metals such as:

Testing for other metals such as strontium, barium and aluminum requires more advanced testing methods typically only found in laboratory environments.

See below for a few of the mail-in water testing packages offered by National Testing Laboratories

Today’s inquiry came from ‘John J’ who asked, “I am looking for a kit to check my drinking water for mercury lead and aluminum.. can you please recommend a product or products?”

The Water Test Kit Store carries several products for testing metals in drinking water.

General Metals Test – SenSafe Heavy Metals Check performs a general test for metals and will let you know if you have any of a number of dissolved metals present. It gives a reading of the total dissolved metals in a water sample. It does not, however, break down the reading by individual metal ion.

WaterSafe Lead in Water Test – A pass/fail water test for dissolved lead in drinking water that yields positive results if a sample contains 15ppb or more dissolved lead. The test will read ‘negative’ for dissolved lead quantities under 15ppb.

Boris’ Mercury Test – Simple test for dissolved mercury in drinking water that has a low detection level equal to the USEPA action level for public water systems (.002 ppm) and a high detection level of .08 ppm. Testing takes just 60 seconds to perform and requires no mixing of chemicals, crushing of tablets, etc.

Regarding your request for an aluminum test, we do not know of an at-home drinking water test kit specifically designed to test for aluminum BUT we do know that the WaterCheck 1 & 2 mail-in testing package for 30 different water quality parameters contains a test for aluminum.

Flush your home’s water lines for a bit when you return from vacation

When water sits stagnant for a while any residual disinfectant can lose its efficacy and bacteria could begin to grow. Also, the water may start to take on contaminants from the plumbing if it sits in contact with fixtures, pipes, etc. for an extended period of time.

People living in older homes should definitely consider flushing their water lines after a few days away from home since older homes more than likely have older copper plumbing that may have gotten connected using lead-based solder. The longer the water sits idle in metal plumbing the greater the risk of metals dissolving into the water.

Testing for metals in drinking water?

Typically the action level, or concentration of dissolved metals in water that warrants immediate action on the part of homeowners as suggested by the USEPA, gets measured in parts per BILLION so make certain the test kit you select can accurately detect concentrations of dissolved metals in the parts per billion range.

We have found that the SenSafe Heavy Metals Check test strips do an excellent job of detect the presence of dissolved metals in the parts per billion range. This product has a low detection level of just 10 ppb, requires no formal training, and has a total test time of well under 5 minutes.

Why test for metals like lead in drinking water?

Time and time again studies have shown a direct correlation between the presence of dissolved heavy metals such as lead in drinking water and birth defects, developmental disabilities in children, gastrointestinal disorders, organ damage, etc.

In many cases the dissolved metals in a home’s drinking water will have no distinct taste, color or smell to them and still exist in concentrations linked to the health issues mentioned above. Only testing for metals in drinking water on a regular basis can alert homeowners to their presence.