Free lead testing is out there, but it’s scattered across water utilities, health departments and state programs. Choose your state to see the free and low-cost lead testing programs we have checked on their official pages: water test kits, blood lead tests for children, home investigations and school water testing.
In short: we only call a program free when its official page says so, and we show that wording and the date we checked it. If we don’t list a program for your area yet, that doesn’t mean none exists: your water utility and local health department are the best places to ask.
Where free lead testing usually comes from
- Your water utility. Many utilities, from New York City to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Cincinnati and Detroit, mail free lead test kits to customers, especially homes with lead service lines. Call the number on your water bill. Our Drinking Water Quality Lookup finds your utility.
- Your local health department. Blood lead tests for young children are often free or covered by Medicaid, and health departments investigate homes when a child has an elevated blood lead level. See lead screening for children.
- State programs for schools and child care. Several states test drinking water in schools and child care centers for free, often with EPA grant money.
- HUD-funded city and county programs. Lead hazard control grants usually include a free inspection or risk assessment for eligible homes. See the grants finder.
If there’s no free program near you
A state-certified lab can test your tap water, and an EPA NLLAP-recognized lab can test paint chips, dust wipes and soil, usually for a modest fee. See lead testing labs, how to test water for lead and What Lead Test Do I Need?
How we keep the list honest
Every program was checked on the provider’s own page, and each card shows what the page says, who qualifies, how to apply and the date we checked. Free programs depend on funding and change often, so we re-check them every six months. Always confirm with the program before you rely on it, and tell us about programs we’re missing.