Which kit you choose depends on how many contaminants you'd like to test. Consult any Core Kit product page for a side-by-side comparison.

Most people receive results within 3-5 business days after the lab receives their sample. However, some tests may require additional analytical time so be sure to check each kit’s product page for the most accurate estimate.

Your report will rank your water against local and federal safety benchmarks, provide a thorough breakdown of any contaminants detected and how they may be affecting your health or plumbing, and provide non-biased treatment recommendations.

Tap Score gives you unbiased testing, certified labs, world-class support, professional scientific advice, personalized filtration recommendations and a sophisticated experience from beginning to end. It's why Tap Score is consistently ranked the #1 water testing service for homes and business.

Every lab facility in our network is certified with accreditations ranging from ISO to NELAC/ELAP, Direct State, DoD, DoE, DoH and beyond.

There are literally millions of analytes to test for and it’s impossible to test them all. We present the largest collection of useful water quality tests on the Tap Score website. Build the test panel of your dreams by adding multiple test kits to your cart, or reach out and ask us for advice.

One. Each testing package is designed for a single sample at one location (even if it comes with 4 bottles!) If you want to test your water at multiple locations, you'd need multiple testing packages.

We show all test kit prices with ALL costs included (sampling materials, testing, results report-back, sample disposal and shipping both ways). The cost of water testing depends on what you’re testing for and other specifications you may have. There are basic testing packages and there are also very advanced ones.

Choosing a sampling method is all about knowing what information you are most interested in. A first draw sample emphasizes impacts from your plumbing. A fully flushed sample emphasizes the "raw" water quality as it comes from the source. 

There is no right or wrong answer, different sampling locations will tell you different things. Before gives you information on the untreated/raw water quality, while after provides information on the water quality post-filtration.

Choosing a sampling location is all about what information you are most interested in learning. If you ordered only one test kit, then we recommend collecting your sample from the location where you drink the most water. Your ingestion of water is normally your greatest exposure to water-borne health concerns.

No. Tap Score testing kits are designed for you to easily take your own samples and return them to a certified lab facility using the pre-paid shipping label(s) in your kit.

A kit's turnaround time (TAT) is measured in business days from when the lab receives the sample.

Most testing is completed in 3-5 lab business days.You can check each kit’s product page for specifics. 

No. Testing timelines are specific to each kit and cannot be changed after an order is processed. If you’re in a hurry, we suggest ordering a RUSH test kit.

If you are on a tight timeline, then check out Rush Collection. RUSH kits have a 3 business day turnaround time from when the lab receives the sample and includes an overnight shipping label to the laboratory.

Track your sample(s) status on your SimpleLab Account. 

Most testing is completed in 3-5 lab business days. Some panels require additional analytical time either because they are inherently more intensive or because Quality Control requires steps to be repeated. You can check each kit’s product page for a time estimate (TAT) of how many business days the lab will need to analyze your samples after they arrive.

99% of the time, if you don't see your Report in your Account it is because you've logged in with a different email address than you used for you purchase. Make sure to log in with the same email address you used during test kit checkout. Be sure to visit https://mytapscore.com

Your report(s) will include detailed analysis plus visual representation of your water’s health. Each report also shows useful information about the analytes tested and their potential impacts. More help is also available phone call, via live chat and email should you have any questions about your results. See an example report here.

Once your results are ready, you will be notified by email. You can then sign into your SimpleLab account to review the HTML and PDF versions of your results with lab attachments included. 

Your results include detailed, quantified levels (PPM, PPB, PPT etc) for all tested analytes as well as information on how they related to tastes, plumbing and health impacts. Reports will also include a dedicated treatment section tailored to your results. 

You can call or email at hello@mytapscore.com or you can chat with TapScore live.

In addition to MCLs, and MCLG's Tap Score Reports include a Health Guidance Level (HGL). The HGL is the concentration of a contaminant at which there is no known health impact. HGL represents the MOST conservative evaluation of water quality. It reflects a combination of recommendations from State, Federal and other health department research guidelines. HGL is not an enforceable standard for water systems. When there is no HGL, that means there is insufficient research on the contaminant’s health risks. (SLR -> HGL)

Yes Tap Score is 100% unbiased and 100% private. They do NOT make money selling filters and we do NOT collect any commission making your recommendations. 

Each report comes with a dedicated treatment and filtration section that is tailored to help you reduce the specific contaminants found in your water sample.

Tap Score will provide you with unbiased treatment recommendations based on the contaminants found in your sample, your home preferences, budget and our own ongoing research into treatment technologies and customer satisfaction with filtration brands and solutions.

The only way to truly know whether or not your filter is working is to test your water. Consider ordering two test kits, so that you can analyze your water before AND after your filter. 

Creating a SimpleLab account is free and easy to set up. Click here to set yours up in just a few clicks.

Beyond acting as your online results dashboard, where you can track test status and review your reports, the SimpleLab Account is where you'll go to get support on Tap Score questions. Additionally, you have access to advanced privacy and sharing settings, as well as 100+ other testing labs for any future needs.

SimpleLab is an award-winning science and health services company founded at the University of California in Berkeley. SimpleLab powers a vast number of home, commercial, industrial and municipal engineering test kit programs.

In order for your test to automatically appear on your SimpleLab account, the system requires that the email used to purchase the test kit and the one used to create the account match. The kits and accounts are linked via that email.

Various water testing laboratories specialize in different ways. There are many types of analytical instruments, methods for using them, and many analytes to test. NO single facility can specialize in everything.

Analytical instrumentation is extremely accurate when reporting concentration data. Most variability in sample testing comes from changes in the sample itself (time of day, year, sampling method).

Tap Score enables lab technicians to focus on what they do best, testing water. Meanwhile, Tap Score delivers on the promise of great customer service, expert treatment advice and timely support. If you need to speak with a technician, contact us first.

Depending on your sampling time, location and testing panel requested, your samples will be shipped to the optimal laboratory that meets your needs (turnaround time, instrumentation, methods).

Every Tap Score testing facility is certified and must follow certain QA/QC procedures specified by regulatory and accreditation bodies plus SimpleLab.

All Tap Score testing is performed in the SimpleLab network of certified North American laboratories. This includes more than 200 certified facilities, and 1,000 EPA testing methods. Each facility is accredited by various accreditation bodies. Facility certifications and accreditations include those from ISO to NELAC/ELAP, Direct State, DoD, DoE, DoH and beyond. Need a specific certification? Let us know in advance of your order so that we can meet your needs accordingly. 

Your testing is assigned to the optimal laboratory based upon several factors: (1) your proximity to facility, (2) test analysis needed, and (3) how busy each specific lab is at the time of your purchase and sample collection. These measures ensure you get the fastest turnaround and best pricing.

All Tap Score testing laboratories are certified in various ways (ISO, NELAC, State, DoD, etc). The Federal EPA itself validates many analytical methods, but does not certify individual laboratories. It gives that power to various other accrediting agencies and directly to the US States.

ISO is an international standard for testing laboratories created to ensure laboratories are producing precise and accurate test data. In additional to baseline ISO certifications, most Tap Score labs will also maintain NELAC, State, Federal EPA, DoD and other important program accreditations.