Water samples have revealed high lead levels in water from hundreds of Massachusetts schools, according to a state press release.
164 school buildings have exceeded the federal lead action level through testing from Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
About 26,000 water samples were taken from 451 Mass. schools in 90 communities.
The tests showed that 76 schools in the state had high levels of copper. A total of 73 schools tested normal.
Another 21 schools in six additional communities are scheduled for testing over the next two weeks.
The Boston School District blames the high levels on old pipes. Schools in the district have covered water fountains and are giving out water bottles.
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Governor Charlie Baker calls testing water in all 900 schools in the state an “important priority.”
