Here’s where casual water drinkers become scientists. You need to collect two samples: the “first draw” and the “flushed” sample. It’s like the before-and-after photo of your plumbing.
The first draw is water that has been sitting in your pipes overnight. Don’t let the water run for even a second. Just turn the tap and fill the vial first thing in the morning.
The flushed sample is collected after you let the cold water run for two minutes. This shows what’s coming from the main line, skipping your home’s pipes. Two very different stories.
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Collect them in the labeled bottles. Try not to touch the inside of the cap. You’re not handling a precious artifact, but treat it like one anyway. No one wants your fingerprints in their lab report.
