Flint water system test results show continued improvement; additional actions to follow

August 5, 2016

For More Information:
Michael Shore, 517-388-9211, shorem2@michigan.gov

Flint water system test results show continued improvement; additional actions to follow

FLINT, Mich. – The latest results of Flint residential and sentinel testing sites show the water distribution system is improving as work continues to stabilize the city system and replace residential lead service lines, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director C. Heidi Grether said today. The last three rounds of the extended sentinel program have shown a significant improvement in the system.

“This continuing improvement in the system is highly encouraging and demonstrates a positive change,” Grether said. “DEQ is firmly committed to our continuing partnership with the city and EPA to provide quality water to the residents of Flint.”

The six-month monitoring period from January 1 through June 30 showed a 90th percentile value of 20 parts per billion (PPB), which exceeds the federal action level of 15 PPB for lead under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). It is important to note that these results are retrospective and are not necessarily representative of the condition of the system today.

A formal letter from DEQ was sent to the city of Flint this week, providing the results and outlining actions it must take to ensure federal drinking water requirements are met.

While the LCR has a number of requirements related to public notification and education, additional efforts have been made to proactively address these requirements. Testing results from the residential sampling effort as well as the sentinel and extended sentinel programs have been mailed directly to residents. These reports also include information on what the results mean as well as measures that residents can take to minimize their exposure to lead. Additional educational materials have been developed and distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services as well as other agencies. Door to door efforts have taken place to distribute commodities such as bottled water, filters, filter cartridges and testing kits. Distribution centers have also been set up to provide these commodities.  

In addition, the city has been proactive in their efforts to replace lead service lines with their Fast Start initiative. Another positive action taken by the city was the “Flush for Flint” campaign. The addition of orthophosphate to the water, increases in household use due to improved water quality, and the Flush for Flint initiative have resulted in declining lead levels.

Despite the need for further action, all recent data shows an encouraging trend of improvement. Especially encouraging is the fact that 93 percent of samples from round three of the Extended Sentinel Site program are also at or below the lead action level. This marks the third sampling round in a row in which the Extended Sentinel Site data meets the LCR action level criteria.

“The improving water conditions in Flint show that our efforts and those of our federal and local partners are having a positive impact,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Now we need continue working together as a team to fully restore the water quality and help the people of Flint recover.”

Sentinel Sites provide regular data on the quality of the water distribution system throughout the city. The sites were established with the cooperation of residents by DEQ and reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Extended Sentinel Sites are those that are likely to have elevated lead levels in the water.

The state continues to work closely with the city of Flint on spending the $27.5 million the state taxpayers have provided to replace lead service lines in the city.

The city, state and EPA encourage residents to continue using filters and to regularly replace cartridges to ensure proper filter maintenance. Government and independent scientists have reported that filters continue to be effective in the removal of lead, even at high levels or in the presence of lead particles.

Additionally, residents are urged to clean their faucet aerators on a routine basis and keep the water moving throughout their homes. Flushing faucets on a daily basis and cleaning faucet aerators weekly will help reduce the presence of lead.

More information about the Flint water emergency is available at www.michigan.gov/flintwater, by calling United Way 211, or by visiting www.helpforflint.com.

The DEQ is dedicated to respect for Michigan’s citizens, stewardship of the environment, and support for a sustainable economy.

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