Report: Brookline School Among 20 With Elevated Lead Levels in Water

• Story by Alison Bauter (Patch Staff)

BROOKLINE, MA - Brookline was among 20 Massachusetts state schools identified in a new report by The Boston Globe as having tested high for lead levels in the water.

The report, out Monday, covers 293 schools and early education centers across the state. 

Water in a fountain at Old Lincoln School tested high at 21.5 parts per billion; in addition, a hydrant tested slightly over the recommended level at 16.5 parts per billion. 

The samples were tested in June of 2014. 

According to Susan Wolf Ditkoff, chairman of the Brookline School Committee, the Old Lincoln School building is currently being used as a swing space during the Devotion School renovation. 

The latest news builds on an investigative report out Thursday from The Guardian that identified Boston and Worcester among 33 locations around the country that have used water testing "cheats" reminiscent of Flint, Mich. Both cities have since disputed this report.

Now, state data obtained by the Globe shows that a small percentage of schools tested - most in 2014 and 2015 - has unacceptably high levels of lead in the water.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends drinking water with lead concentrations of no more than 15 parts per billion. Particularly for children, lead in drinking water is a serious concern. Exposure to unsafe levels has been tied to behavioral issues and lower IQs. The issue has gained heightened attention this past year, following revelations in Flint.

Patch was directed to the Deputy Superintendent for Finance & Administration, who did not immediately return a request for comment.