SAN ANTONIO – The CDC has stated that no level of lead in water is safe for children, but the San Antonio Independent School District said it is working to reduce the amount of lead detected in its schools.

KSAT Investigates has been investigating how the district is dealing with the potential health threat for months.

In Texas, lead testing in schools is voluntary, and this week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that more than $2 million in grants are available to schools in the state that want to participate.

“It’s another opportunity for schools, child care centers and communities to replace lead and ensure our children are not exposed to it,” said Herbie Ziskend, deputy White House communications director.

According to the CDC, no water containing lead is safe for children.

Even low levels of lead in a child’s blood can lead to:

• Behavioral and learning problems

• Lower IQ and hyperactivity

• Slower growth

• Hearing problems

• anemia

SAISD is one of the districts that has opted for lead testing.

Data collected in 2022 shows that several schools in the district had levels of lead that were hazardous to health.

In a statement sent Friday, SAISD spokeswoman Laura Short said the district received a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Program, allowing it to equip all of its schools with Brita water pitchers and filters.

Short said the district is working to lower its lead limit below the TCEQ requirement.

Although SAISD knew about the lead, it spent thousands on fillers that did not filter lead

A review of emails and receipts earlier this year revealed that the district had not purchased lead filters for its drinking fountains, despite knowing about lead contamination in 17 schools.

“It is important that every school, home and business exposed to lead take swift action to remediate,” Ziskend said.

The orders show that in December 2022, the district purchased nearly $115,000 worth of water bottle fillers that do not filter out lead.

Parents like Emily Doherty had questions.

“Did you know about it? Did you agree to it? And if so, why did you do it?” she said in an interview in May 2024.

“Thanks. No interview.”

KSAT has contacted the district several times to get answers for parents. The district sent us a statement, but we wanted to ask our own questions.

We even went to a school board meeting on May 20 to speak with principal Jaime Aquino, who refused to answer KSAT’s questions about whether he thought it was acceptable for children to drink water containing lead.

Through a records request, KSAT obtained copies of several emails and text messages sent internally related to this story.

In a text message from district spokesman Maury Vasquez, a colleague was warned of KSAT’s presence at the meeting.

“KSAT-12 is here,” Vasquez wrote. “Daniella Ibarra. Who asked the questions via email and wanted more than just a statement last week.”

The emails also reveal how the district’s communications team responded to KSAT’s initial interview request.

“Jaime, I want to make you aware of KSAT’s request to interview you regarding water quality,” SAISD spokeswoman Laura Short wrote in a May 15 email. “I have instead worked with Jenny and Yvonne to draft a media statement and they continue to request an interview. I recommend that I respond that we have responded with a statement and respectfully decline the interview.”

Twenty-four minutes later, Aquino replied: “Thank you. No interview.”

The “spirit of transparency” is being questioned

The rejection came months after heating system failures led to the closure of all SAISD campuses during the week of MLK Day.

“I lead with a spirit of transparency,” Aquino wrote in an email to parents on Jan. 16.

In March, records uncovered by KSAT revealed how the district handled the problem behind the scenes.

Aquino was not available for this story.

Just days after KSAT reported on Aquino’s extensive travel during his tenure as superintendent, new records reveal the district’s attempts to shield him from critical scrutiny.

KSAT contacted SAISD and requested an interview with Aquino to explain the benefits the trip would provide to students and taxpayers.

“Is there a time this week when we can come and talk to him?” KSAT reporter Daniela Ibarra wrote in an email to the district’s communications team.

Short forwarded KSAT’s request to Aquino along with a draft statement.

“Did you tell them I am sick and will be away this week?” Aquino wrote in an email to Short on August 5.

“I haven’t told them you’re sick yet; they would simply defer their request until available dates,” Short replied. “I wanted to give them an explanation first to set the tone, and then determine if you would like to grant the investigative reporter the interview. Attached is the file I received from Julissa. Information you obtained on this trip would make a good story; however, I fear an investigative report would distort the information.”

KSAT obtained all of the information for the story from district public records. We asked SAISD for an interview five times. Instead, they sent us a statement.

Read more reports about the KSAT Investigates Page.