Instructions for Lead and Copper Tap Sample Site Plans

The use of lead solder was banned in all homes and buildings connected to a public water system in June
1988. Construction dates of homes and buildings can be verified by searching the address as real estate
sites will list the age of the building.

50% of the samples must be from taps served by lead service lines (if any exist), and 50% from sites with
copper pipes with lead solder (if any exist).

To ensure samples meet the site tiering criteria, water systems must sample from all available Tier 1
locations first. When all available Tier 1 locations have been exhausted, you must complete your
sampling from all available Tier 2 sites. Once all Tier 1 and 2 locations have been exhausted, you must
complete your sampling with Tier 3 sites. Tier Other locations must be sampled after all available Tiers
have been exhausted. [40 CFR 141.86(a)].

Community Systems

Non-Transient Non-Community Systems

Tier 1: Single-family structures:

•	Having copper pipes with lead solder
installed between 1983 and 1988, or

•	Having lead pipes, including lead
goosenecks or pigtails; and/or

•	Served by a lead service line.

•	If multiple-family residences comprise at
least 20% of the structures served by a
system, they can be counted as Tier 1.

If all Tier 1 sites are exhausted, you may complete
the sampling pool with Tier 2 sites.

Tier 2: Buildings other than single-family,
(i.e., apartment buildings, schools, hospitals):

•	With copper pipes with lead solder
installed between 1983 and 1988, or

•	Contain lead pipes; and/or

•	Served by a lead service line (LSL).

If all Tier 1 and Tier 2 sites are exhausted, you may
complete the sampling pool with Tier 3 sites.

Tier 3: Single-family structures:

•	With copper pipes with lead solder
installed before 1983.

If all Tier 1, 2, and 3 sites are exhausted you may
complete the sampling pool with 'Other' sites.

Tier Other: All other structures with plumbing
materials that are commonly found throughout
the distribution system. Sites with copper
plumbing installed after 1988 are preferred.

Tier 1: Buildings (i.e. offices, hospitals, schools):

•	Having copper pipes with lead solder installed
between 1983 and 1988, or

•	Having lead pipes, including lead goosenecks
or pigtails; and/or

•	Served by a lead service line (LSL).

If all Tier 1 sites are exhausted, you may complete
the sampling pool with Tier 2 sites.

Tier 2: Buildings with:

•	Copper pipes with lead solder installed
before 1983.

If all Tier 1 and Tier 2 sites are exhausted, you may
complete the sampling pool with 'Other' sites.

Tier Other: Other representative sites throughout
the distribution system. A representative site is a site
in which the plumbing materials used are commonly
found at other sites served by the water system.

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