High lead levels a costly concern at schools in Maryland

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says seven primary and secondary schools in Maryland outside of Baltimore have reported high levels of lead in their tap water at least once since 2013.

They comprise a quarter of the 28 small water systems statewide where lead has been found above the federal standard of 15 parts per billion in the past three years. These are mostly well-water systems serving individual buildings or businesses.

Those with the most consistently high readings include a building for third-to-fifth graders at Youth’s Benefit Elementary in Bel Air and Laytonsville Elementary in Montgomery County. Officials say both school buildings have been on bottled water for years.

Bottled water has been supplied to all Baltimore public schools since 2007 due to high lead levels linked to antiquated plumbing.