Step 1: Ask your water department first

CDC says your local water authority is always your first source for testing and identifying lead in your tap water, and many public water systems will test on request. Ask the City of Palos Heights whether it offers testing, and what its records show for your service line.

Step 2: Use an accredited lab

If you test on your own, IDPH recommends an Illinois EPA accredited laboratory. Illinois EPA keeps the list of accredited labs online. The lab will send a bottle and instructions; follow them exactly.

Step 3: Take a good sample

  • Use the cold-water tap you drink from most, usually the kitchen.
  • Follow the lab's instructions about how long the water should sit unused before sampling. A "first draw" sample after water sits shows the worst case.
  • Follow the lab's instructions exactly, including whether to remove the aerator or run the water first.

CDC notes that results can vary with the time of day, season, sampling method, and water flow, so one test is a snapshot, not a verdict.

Step 4: Read the results

  • Not detected: good news. Keep the habits below anyway.
  • Any lead detected: the EPA's health goal is 0. Use cold water, flush after water sits, and consider a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead.
  • 15 ppb or higher: call your water department, use a certified filter or bottled water for drinking and cooking, and ask your child's doctor about a blood lead test.

While you wait for results

  • Use cold water. Use only cold tap water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Hot water can hold more lead, and boiling does not remove lead.
  • Run the tap first. Water that sits in pipes for hours can pick up more lead. Before drinking, run the tap, take a shower, or run a load of laundry or dishes to bring in fresh water.
  • Clean the aerator. Unscrew the little screen at the end of your faucet every few months and rinse it. Tiny bits of sediment and lead can collect there.

IDPH also suggests flushing cold water through a fixture for 1–2 minutes, or as your water utility directs, before using it for drinking or cooking.

Want a head start? Our free Palos Heights water report looks up what public records say about your address.

Quick questions

Can I see or taste lead in my water?

No. Illinois' Department of Public Health says you can't see, taste, or smell dissolved lead, so testing is the only sure way to know.

Which lab should I use?

IDPH recommends an Illinois EPA accredited laboratory. Illinois EPA publishes the list of accredited labs online.

Sources

  1. Lead in Water — Illinois Department of Public Health
  2. Lead in Drinking Water Factsheet — Illinois Department of Public Health
  3. List of Accredited Laboratories — Illinois EPA
  4. Home Drinking Water Testing — U.S. EPA
  5. About Lead in Drinking Water — CDC, August 20, 2025

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Palos Heights Water Filtration is an independent business and is not affiliated with the City of Palos Heights. Product certifications are model-specific and can change; check the current listing before you buy.