First Environmental Laboratories is accredited to perform lead analysis in drinking water in support of Department of Children and Family Services Policy Guide 2017.13, “Lead Testing of Water in Licensed Day Care Facilities”.

Who is affected by this Policy? All day care homes, group day care homes and day care centers that serve children ages birth to six years, constructed on or before January 1, 2000.

All homes and centers constructed on or before January 1, 2000 are required to test all drinking water sources: kitchen and bathroom faucets, water fountains and bubblers, handwashing sinks in infant and toddler rooms for the presence of lead.

Cost per Outlet: $60 (includes sample containers) ($30.00 per sample; 2 samples/outlet)
Cost for Shipment of Containers: $30

Sampling Procedure Overview:
Determine the number of outlets that need to be sampled (kitchen and bathroom faucets, water fountains and bubblers, handwashing sinks in infant and toddler rooms, ice from an icemaker, and appliance water dispenser). (Note: Bathtubs and showers are not required to be tested.) Two samples will be collected from each outlet; a “first draw” sample and a “flush” sample.

A “first-draw” sample is a sample that is collected the first thing in the morning from your faucet, before water has had time to flush through your system. This will be water that has sat in your pipes overnight. This faucet must be inactive 6 hours and not more than 18 hours before the sample is collected. A “flush” sample is collected from the same faucet after allowing the water to run for 30 seconds.

Using these First Environmental Lead Sample Collection Instructions will help guide you through the sample collection process from start to finish.

Our easy to use Electronic Chain of Custody Record for Lead Analysis is designed to meet the IDPH format required for submitting your final report. Results will be transmitted to you as a .pdf and as an Excel spreadsheet. The Excel spreadsheet will be in the format specified by the IDPH.
School Download Excel Form
Daycare Download Excel Form
To get containers for sampling click here » Daycare Bottle Request

Method of Analysis: EPA Method 200.8R5.4 (ICP-MS)

Reporting Limit: 2.00 ppb

Accredited: Our Illinois NELAC Accreditation Number is 100292.

A copy of our NELAC Accreditation Certificate is available for download.

Visit Illinois Department of Public Health and American Water Works Assoctions for addition information on testing for lead in schools and day care facilities: