SAISD Familia,  
 
You may have seen KSAT coverage this week about lead testing results in SAISD from one year ago. Rest assured, the mitigation efforts were completed last school year. The data shared in the segment was accurate as of Fall 2022 and Winter 2023, but since the issues have been resolved, the data is no longer current. 
 
The topic is in the news again as the result of a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that takes effect in 2024. EPA is beginning to require elementary campuses and childcare facilities to start testing its water outlets for lead and copper. We believe in testing water quality to ensure the health of our students and staff, and we are proud to be ahead of the curve on these very important efforts. 
 
As a reminder, SAISD volunteered to test water outlets at all of our campuses last school year. We participated in lead testing through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which provides this service in school and childcare programs. This is a voluntary statewide program that offers free training and guidance on how to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.   
 
As a result of last year’s testing, it was determined that 96% of outlets were within threshold and 4% of outlets were outside of threshold. Mitigation efforts were conducted immediately during the 2022-2023 school year. Mitigation included the removal of fountains where needed before they were used for public consumption.   
 
Keep in mind, in most cases, the outlets had not been in use since COVID restrictions were put in place, and the stagnant nature of the outlets may have contributed to the lead readings. When the pandemic started, the district banned the use of water fountains on campuses and in other public spaces. Instead, campuses used filtering systems, in which students refilled water bottles for consumption.   
  
At the time of testing, families and staff of each campus received letters notifying them of the outcome of the testing at their school. Additionally, a full list of results is publicly available on TCEQ’s LTSCC Program webpage at texasleadtesting.org.   
 
We are proud of our proactive participation in this program, and we want you to know the steps we have taken to protect the health of those in our care. 
 
In service, 
Jaime