Final round of Sentinel Site results shows gradual improvements, confirms next step necessary to help restore water system in Flint

Continued caution needed as city not yet in compliance with federal Lead and Copper Rule

FLINT, Mich. – (RealEstateRama) — The water distribution system in Flint continues to slowly show improvements, but the presence of unpredictable and random lead level spikes throughout the system requires continued use of filters and additional steps to address this in the short and long term, Gov. Rick Snyder said today.

The final round of planned Sentinel Site test results provides a more comprehensive picture of how the water distribution system is processing the orthophosphate coating throughout the system. It also is helping to guide the next course of action, which involves getting more water moving more quickly through the system.

The results from round five of sentinel testing show 93.5 percent of samples were at or below the federal action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) and 6.5 percent were above 15 ppb. This is the fifth round of tests in a row in which the percent of samples that are at or below the action level of 15 ppb has gone up, which means the system is trending in the right direction. In the fourth round of tests, 92.7 percent were at or below 15 ppb and 7.3 percent were above 15 ppb.

While the overall system continues to improve, Flint is not yet in compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule.

“Thanks to the residents who volunteered to participate in the program, we now have a complete set of sentinel data providing a truer picture of how the water system is responding,” Snyder said. “While the system has come a long way, we are exercising caution as we look more closely at the unpredictable spikes that continue to show up in tests. We are letting the science drive decisions on Flint water quality and not an arbitrary date. We will declare unfiltered water drinkable again only when the data proves it to be so. We expect that for some residents, that is going to require the replacement of unsafe pipes.”

The state is working with the city of Flint to continue efforts to replace lead service lines in Flint through a $25 million proposal in the state budget, which is above and beyond the $2.5 million already provided specifically for lead service line replacement.

Sentinel Sites provide regular data on the quality of the water distribution system throughout the city. These results help determine if current treatments are appropriately recoating the pipes to prevent the leaching of lead and also highlight where there may be issues of continued concern. The sites were established with the cooperation of residents by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Water tests continue to indicate that small pieces of lead are present within some residential plumbing systems causing irregular increases in lead levels when tested. Data also indicates that these spikes are happening randomly from home to home, producing sudden excessive levels before and after otherwise reduced levels. It should be noted that the water filters provided to Flint residents are effective in protecting against these increases.

Due to these temporary jumps in lead levels, state and federal agencies continue to recommend that all residents use filtered water, or bottled water if a woman is pregnant or nursing, and by children under age 6. The state and others will continue to conduct tests to monitor the water and the distribution system in Flint.

Flushing faucets on a daily basis and cleaning faucet aerators weekly will help reduce the presence of lead pieces. Scientists have indicated that filters continue to be effective in the removal of lead even at high levels or in the presence of lead particles.

Recently, the city of Flint, DEQ and EPA announced a new flushing program which encourages residents to run their faucets in the kitchen and bath tub for five minutes per day for two weeks. The cost of the water used for this program will be paid for by the state.

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