Well Water Contaminated By Lead In New Harford Co. Community

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—Looking for lead. A group of Harford County homeowners is searching for the source of lead that's seeped into their tap water.

Gigi Barnett reports the health department has placed the community on alert.

Bottled water jugs line the garages of homes in the Grafton Ridge Community in Harford County.

Tap water is off limits.

A few weeks ago, the county health department tested each house for lead. Some had lead levels higher than what the Environmental Protection Agency allows.

"We have yet been able to determine the source of the problem," said Susan Kelly, Harford Co. Health Officer.

And that's the sticking point. Grafton Ridge Homes are brand new built by Richmond American Homes.

The water is coming from a well.

Kelly is warning homeowners, especially ones with young children, to keep away from the water. Lead can cause learning and developmental disabilities in children.

"Primarily we're concerned about the health of the children, pregnant women and the residents in general," Kelly said.

The health department says lead is not commonly found in water, and that's why it doesn't require testing for lead in well water of newly built homes.

"We do know that because some of the wells are showing a higher level in the water as it's coming from the well, we feel that there is some type of exposure," Kelly said.

Richmond American is providing bottled water for the homeowners and replacing contaminated pipes on the homes.