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This test measures zinc in water from your tap, in milligrams per liter, and compares it with the EPA guideline of 5 mg/L. High zinc is rarely a source water problem. It usually means galvanized pipes or fittings are corroding inside your home. Owners of houses built before the 1960s, anyone noticing a metallic taste, and households with corrosive, low-pH water order it most.
A zinc result does double duty in an older home. It shows what is in your glass and also hints at how much life your galvanized plumbing has left. If corrosion is the cause, rust or other metals may be coming along, so many people check lead and iron at the same time.
Zinc is a common metal your body needs in small amounts. It occurs naturally at low levels in most water, and higher levels in tap water usually come from plumbing.
Here are the usual sources:
Galvanized pipe is coated with zinc to resist rust, and as that coating wears away over decades, zinc dissolves into the water. The EPA secondary drinking water standards page lists the guideline, and our Langelier Corrosion Index shows whether your water is likely to keep corroding your pipes.
This test is for you if your house has galvanized pipes, fittings, or a galvanized storage tank, which was standard in many homes built before the 1960s. As that zinc coating wears away, zinc moves into your water.
A metallic or bitter taste, rust-colored water from old pipes, or water that looks slightly milky are all good reasons to check. So is an earlier result showing corrosive, low-pH water.
It is also useful when you are buying an older home and want to know whether the plumbing is near the end of its life. A high zinc result usually tells you more about your pipes than about your water source, which helps you decide whether to re-plumb, adjust your water chemistry, or both.
Orders under $100 ship for an $8 flat rate, and orders of $100 or more ship free. Every kit includes a prepaid return label. Please collect and ship as soon as possible after sampling. Adding copper or corrosion testing to the same order can bring you to free shipping.
We analyze your sample in our accredited lab, using established testing methods and quality controls.
We have tested water since 1995.
Every test includes a free consultation with one of our water experts. We go over your results with you, explain what the numbers mean for your home, and help you decide on the appropriate next step, including any filtration approach.
Ships free to your door
Takes under 5 minutes
Free return shipping
Expert Consultation
Ships free to your door
Takes under 5 minutes
Free return shipping
Expert Consultation
Every test comes with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your water source, collect your water sample, and prepare your sample for return shipment to our lab.
The appropriate sample containers are provided with sterility and sample volume requirements taken into consideration.
A short form to fill out with basic information about your water source. This helps our lab technicians process your results accurately.
A pre-paid return shipping label is included — just drop the sealed package in any mailbox or hand it to your mail carrier. No extra cost.
“The test was simple—collect a water sample from a faucet in the home. We sent the test to the lab and received a water quality analysis within a few days. The test included analysis of the water sample for the presence of: coliform bacteria, E. coli, iron, lead, pH, turbidity, and nitrates/nitrites.”
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We run every test inside our own lab in Leominster, Massachusetts. Your results come straight from us, not a subcontractor. That keeps our pricing fair and our quality consistent across every kit we send out.
Most labs stop at handing you a report. We do not. Every result comes with a free call to one of our water quality experts, so you understand what your numbers mean and what to do next.
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Our Premium Water Test screens your water for 113 substances in one round, including bacteria, radon, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals, providing homeowners and landlords with a thorough assessment for peace of mind. We have run…
At typical levels, no. Zinc in tap water is mostly a taste and appearance issue. Large short-term amounts have been linked to stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, and long-term high intake can interfere with how your body absorbs copper. A high result is usually more useful as a warning about your plumbing than as a health finding.
The EPA secondary guideline for zinc is 5 mg/L, set for taste and appearance rather than health. Above that level, water can taste metallic or bitter and may look milky. There is no enforceable federal health limit for zinc in drinking water, so 5 mg/L is the number most labs and homeowners use as a benchmark.
It can. The zinc coating on older galvanized pipe sometimes contained lead as an impurity, and galvanized pipe downstream of a lead service line can collect lead inside and release it later. A high zinc result does not prove lead is present, but it shows your pipes are corroding. Adding a lead test to the same order is a simple way to find out.
Often, yes, when it comes with other signs. A zinc result near or above 5 mg/L in a home with galvanized plumbing usually means the coating is wearing through. Low water pressure, rust-colored water, and leaks at threaded joints point the same way. A plumber can confirm the pipe's condition, and a corrosion index result shows whether your water chemistry is speeding things up.
Zinc from galvanized pipes is one common cause, especially in older homes. Copper, iron, and manganese can also give water a metallic taste, and low pH can make it stronger by pulling more metal from your plumbing. A zinc test is a good start if you have galvanized pipe. If not, checking copper and iron may be the better first step.
The lasting fix is usually replacing old galvanized pipe or fittings, since that is where most zinc comes from. If your water is corrosive, raising its pH can slow the damage to remaining plumbing. In the short term, running the cold tap for a minute before drinking flushes water that sat in the pipes. Treatment options exist too, and our free consultation helps you decide on the appropriate filtration approach.
Yes. Natural zinc in groundwater is usually low, but well systems often include galvanized parts. Galvanized steel casing, drop pipe, and older pressure tanks all carry a zinc coating that can dissolve over time, and faster when the water is soft or acidic. A high zinc result on a well can point to aging equipment rather than the aquifer itself. A well contractor can check those parts if your number runs high.
Often, yes. Brass faucets and fittings are a mix of copper and zinc, and corrosive water can pull zinc out of brass first, a process called dezincification. That leaves the fitting weak and porous over time. Copper pipes in the same home may be corroding too. Testing both metals in one order gives you a fuller picture of how your plumbing is holding up and whether your water chemistry is wearing on it.
No shared results. Our laboratory holds our clients privacy to the highest regard, your results and information will never be shared. Be aware that state certified laboratories may be required to report your results to various government agencies.