Lead Water Test (UKAS Laboratory Test) review
Homeowners with pre-1970 lead pipework, or anyone on a private supply (borehole, spring, well) who needs a definitive lead reading rather than an indicative guess.
By Tom Calder · Price last checked 10 September 2026 · price indicative
A proper UKAS-accredited lab result rather than a colour-change strip, and it's built the right way round: a first-draw sample plus a flushed sample so you can see whether lead is coming from your own pipework. Worth it if you have a specific reason to test; not something every household needs.
ⓘ As an Amazon Associate, PreparedBritain earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy, or a fee when you request a quote, through our links — it never affects what we recommend. Amazon prices come from Amazon's own product data and show the date and time they were retrieved. Prices at other retailers are checked by us, less often. Prices and stock can change at any time, so always check the retailer's price before you buy.
- UKAS-accredited (ISO 17025) lab analysis, not an indicative strip — result is legally meaningful against the DWI limit
- First-draw vs flushed two-bottle method distinguishes 'your pipes' lead from supply-side lead
- Covers private supplies (boreholes, springs, wells) that fall outside water company testing
- Everything needed included — bottles, instructions, prepaid next-day return courier
- Single parameter (lead only) — won't flag other contaminants such as pesticides, bacteria or nitrates
- 5-6 working day turnaround, so no same-day peace of mind if you're worried about a specific event
Who shouldn't buy this
you're on a mains supply in a home built after 1970 with no known lead pipework — your water company already tests routinely to DWI standards, so this specific test isn't the useful starting point. Save it for pre-1970 properties, private supplies, or if a cheap indicative strip has already flagged a concern worth confirming properly.
Key specs
| What it tests | Lead (Pb) in water |
| Format | 2x sample bottles posted to a UKAS-accredited |
| Tests included | Single parameter: lead only |
| Results in | 5-6 working days after the lab receives your |
Our rating is a considered spec-and-evidence verdict: we verify every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who a product isn't for. Commissions never change a rating. Read the full methodology →
Alternatives to consider
Want this cheaper?
This price is indicative — we don't yet re-check it automatically. Leave your email and we'll tell you when it drops — nothing else.