Damaging quantities of lead have been discovered in the water at six primary schools in Utrecht, reports the local council.

Following the discovery of lead in schools, creches and homes in Amsterdam, Utrecht has been testing all city council buildings put up before 1960 – when the material was banned for use in pipes.

According to the first ‘quick scan’ of 25 schools, six have levels of lead that suggest they have lead piping. In five of them it is unclear if the piping is in the building or in the connection outside with the mains.

The six schools believed to have lead piping are the Gertrudisschool, De Piramide, Taalschool Utrecht, the SBO Belle van Zuylen, St. Jan de Doperschool and the Ludgerschool, according to the council. Children here will now be banned from drinking from the taps and will be provided with bottled water.

Investigations continue at another 46 schools in Utrecht, and Rotterdam is also examining buildings owned by the council.

The Dutch national health council warned last year that up to 200,000 homes across the country may have lead water pipes, which pose a particular risk to young children and pregnant women.