Flint water system improvement remains consistent, is below federal lead action level

October 5, 2016

For More Information:
George Krisztian, 517-284-6719, krisztiang@michigan.gov
Michael Shore, 517-388-9211, shorem2@michigan.gov

Flint water system improvement remains consistent, is below federal lead action level

FLINT, Mich. – The most recent round of Extended Sentinel Site tests in Flint show the water distribution system continues to improve as more than 90 percent of the samples were in compliance with the 15 parts per billion (PPB) lead action level for the fifth time in a row, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director C. Heidi Grether said today.  

“This is the fifth consecutive testing that showed more than 90 percent of the samples at or below the lead action level of 15 PPB,” Grether said. “The results, coming in July, August and September, are particularly impressive. Lead levels in water tend to go up everywhere during warmer months. The Flint water system showed improvement during that time period and we expect this progress to continue going forward, especially if people start using filtered water more.”  

During the latest round of testing, with a total of 157 samples, 147 (93.6 percent) were at or below 15 PPB. Importantly, among Tier One sites, 81 (95.3 percent) met the lead action level criteria. A Tier One site is a home that has a lead service line, or meets other criteria, and is used to determine compliance with the lead and copper rule.

The current monitoring period began July 1, 2016 and now contains three rounds of Extended Sentinel data that have a 90th percentile value below the 15 PPB action level. Under the Lead and Copper Rule, the city of Flint is required to collect a minimum of 60 Tier One samples during the current monitoring period. Each Extended Sentinel round individually meets this requirement. 

”It’s promising that the water quality results continue to show improvement in Flint’s water system so consistently,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Now we all need to work together to keep the system healthy, which means using filtered water as much as possible. We need to move the water in Flint if we want to move Flint forward.”

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.

The Extended Sentinel Site Program consists of Tier One sites, as well as homes with copper and galvanized service lines that had a history of elevated lead levels during the original Sentinel Program. 

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

Since there continues to be some lead particulate releases that are causing occasional spikes in lead, the city, state and EPA encourage residents to continue using filters and to regularly replace cartridges to ensure proper filter maintenance. In addition, residents are encouraged to continue using filters while pipe-replacement activities are ongoing as the work can disturb lead particles in the line. 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, for all Flint residents. 

Additionally, residents are urged to regularly clean their faucet aerators 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 system is available at www.michigan.gov/flintwater, by calling United Way 211, or by visiting www.helpforflint.com.

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