Lead Water Testing for Wausau Residents
Official Partner:
City of Wausau & US Water |
State-Certified Laboratory | Testing Available for All Wausau Residents
Concerned About Lead in Your Drinking Water?
Get It Tested Today.
Why Should You Test Your Drinking Water?
Health Effects of Lead:
Exposure to lead in drinking water poses serious health risks across all age groups. Infants and children may experience reduced IQ levels, attention deficits, and learning or behavioral complications. Pregnant individuals exposed to lead may face increased risks affecting fetal development. Adults may be susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, elevated blood pressure, kidney damage, and neurological impairments.
While the City of Wausau is actively working to minimize lead exposure, the only way to know if your water contains lead is to test it. Lead can enter drinking water from multiple sources, including:
- Lead service lines that connect homes to the city water supply.
- Household plumbing and fixtures containing lead solder or brass.
- Corrosion of pipes in older homes or city infrastructure.
How Wausau Helps Minimize Lead in Water:
✔ Treatments for corrosion control to prevent lead leaching into water.
✔ Monitoring of water systems to detect potential lead issues.
✔ Programs for replacing lead service lines (through the Equiflow Lead-Free Program). https://www.leadfreewausau.com/
Even with these precautions, testing is the only way to confirm whether your home’s drinking water contains lead.
Who Should Test Their Water?
You should test your water if:
- Your home has (or had) a lead service line.
Check the City of Wausau Lead Service Line Map - You’re unsure if your home has lead plumbing.
Verify through Equiflow Lead-Free Program - Your home was built before 1986. (Older homes may have lead pipes or fixtures.)
- You have young children or are pregnant. (Lead exposure is most harmful to developing brains.)
- Your tap water has a metallic taste or discoloration. (This can indicate corrosion.)
- Your home has (or had) a lead service line.
Testing your water is an easy and affordable way to ensure your home’s water is safe.
What Type of Water Test Should You Do?
To identify the source of lead in your water, choose the appropriate testing method:
1. First Draw Water Sample (1st Liter Test) – $35
✔ Recommended for anyone concerned about lead in their household plumbing.
✔ Collect the first liter of water after 6+ hours of stagnation to check if lead is coming from household pipes, faucets, or fixtures.
2. First Draw + Fifth Liter Water Sample – $70
✔ Recommended if you have or had a lead service line or are unsure.
✔ The 1st liter checks for lead within plumbing and fixtures.
✔ The 5th liter detects lead coming from the service line after water has traveled through your pipes.
Understanding First Draw and Fifth Liter Sampling
First Draw Sample (Cold water tap only):
- Collected after 6+ hours of non-use (overnight).
- Detects lead from household plumbing (pipes, fixtures, faucets).
Fifth Liter Sample (Cold water tap only):
- The first four liters are flushed, and the fifth liter is collected.
- The fifth liter, which represents water from the service line, can be collected by running the cold water tap until you notice a temperature change, then taking the sample at that point.
- Determines if lead is coming from the service line supplying water to your home.
Recommended for homes with lead service lines.
Additional Resources on Sampling Methods:
 | EPA Lead and Copper Rule Overview View Document |
 | EPA’s Fifth Liter Sampling Infographic View Document |
 | CDM Smith’s 5th Liter Sampling for Lead and Copper Rule Compliance View Video |
Understanding Your Results & Next Steps
Once your test is complete, you’ll receive a detailed lab report showing your lead levels in parts per billion (ppb).
| Lead Level (ppb) | What It Means | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 1 ppb | Safe | No action needed |
| 1 – 5 ppb | Low presence of lead | Flush pipes before use |
| 5 – 10 ppb | Concerning level | Use a lead-certified filter |
| Above 10 ppb | Unsafe | Stop drinking, take action immediately |
If lead is detected, take these precautions:
✔ Flush your pipes: Run water for 1–2 minutes before drinking.
✔ Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
✔ Install an NSF/ANSI 53-certified lead filter (e.g., Brita Elite).
✔ Clean faucet aerators to remove lead particles.
✔ Do not boil water – it concentrates lead instead of removing it.
City of Wausau’s Commitment to Safe Drinking Water
- Lead service line replacements – Reducing long-term lead risks.
- Corrosion control treatments – Helping prevent lead leaching into water.
- Citywide water monitoring – Ensuring safe water quality for all residents.
Contact & FAQs
US Water – Weston, WI
Phone: (715) 842-2215
For questions about the Equiflow Lead-Free Program:
Visit leadfreewausau.com
Call (715) 793-7417 or email infowausau@yourcip.com
US Water is the official partner of the City of Wausau in the Equiflow Lead-Free Program. As a state-certified laboratory, we provide lead water testing for Wausau homeowners who have had their lead service lines replaced, as well as for those concerned about lead in their drinking water.
The City of Wausau monitors water quality test results and reports findings to the state authorities. If elevated lead levels are consistently detected in multiple locations, the city will investigate and may consider system-wide adjustments.
- How to Order a Lead Test Kit
US Water, a state-certified laboratory in Weston, WI, provides accurate lead testing for all Wausau residents.
Cost: $35 (first draw test) or $70 (first draw + fifth liter test).
Results Available in Less Than a Week!
Step 1:
Request Your Test Kit
- Click here to complete the simple request form.
- US Water will contact you to arrange payment and ship your test kit.
Step 2:
Choose Your Sample Collection & Submission Method
✔ Self-Collection & Mail-In – Collect your sample and mail it back. (+ $10 shipping)
✔ Scheduled Collection – A US Water technician collects your sample. (+ $19 appointment fee)
✔ Lab Drop-Off – Pick up & drop off your sample at US Water in Weston. (Free)
✔ Customized Pickup & Submission – Call (715) 842-2215 for special arrangements.
Not sure if you have a lead service line?
- Check the City of Wausau Lead Service Line Map
- Verify through Equiflow Lead-Free Program