GLASSBORO -- Water fountains at numerous Rowan University buildings have been disconnected and bottled water is being distributed after test results have revealed elevated levels of lead in the campus' water supply.

After reports of seeing brownish water at Linden Hall, Rowan University had a series of tests done in that building and in several other nearby buildings built around the same time. Linden Hall, Bole Annex, the Carriage House, Memorial Hall, Oak Hall and Laurel Hall were all tested.

According to a letter sent out to the Rowan community on Wednesday, the results of these tests indicated lead levels above 15 parts per billion, which is the Action Level set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Only one building that was tested did not have high lead levels.

"Memorial is the only building that was tested that's part of a different pipe system," said Rowan University spokesmen, Joe Cardona. "It came up clear which leads us to believe the issue is with the actual pipes, not the water itself."

Cardona said after doing their own testing, the city of Glassboro reported their water to be within proper levels, ruling out the town's water as the issue.

When the tests results were in, Rowan sent out a letter to students and faculty Wednesday night, noting what was going on and the actions being taken. The letter assured the community that the university disconnected all water fountains in the affected buildings, "Do Not Drink" advisories have been posted on all water faucets, lead filters were installed in Oak and Laurel halls, and as a special precaution, bottle water is being provided to all residence halls on campus.

"We're taking all of the precautions we can because we don't know the exact cause of the high levels yet," said Cardona. "So, students who live in unaffected halls are receiving bottled water as well because who knows which buildings are affected. We're even testing the newest hall, Holly Pointe Commons, as well."

The university says the water is safe to use for washing clothes, dishes, and showering -- it is just unsafe to consume. Students being given water are being advised to use it for brushing teeth, cooking, and drinking.

During the next few days, water-quality testing firms will conduct preliminary tests on samples from every building on the main campus and results will be shared immediately with the university community. However, because the university is testing every drinking water and food preparation outlet on campus, it will take several months to collect samples and have them analyzed by a lab.

"During those months, we will be monitoring students consumption to make sure we can provide proper amounts of bottled water to them," said Cardona. "In addition, we'll be determining whether or not special water fountains will be installed throughout campus. We have several fountains that double as spots to fill bottles and that may ultimately be something we install more of on campus to make this situation easier."

University officials said in the letter to the community that the Glassboro Water Department system is currently in compliance with Federal and State regulations pertaining to lead.

"The lead most likely is leaching into our water from older pipes, lead-based solder and plumbing fixtures on campus that contain lead," President Ali Houshmand said in the letter. "We have no reason to believe that members of our community who live off campus have cause for concern about the water where they live."

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.