Flint Drinking Water FAQs

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Regulations and Responsibilities

How is the City of Flint improving its drinking water infrastructure and how is the City repairing any damage to private property during infrastructure improvements?

How is federal funding being used in Flint and what oversight is provided to ensure it is used efficiently?

How do I know if the water in my community meets SDWA compliance standards, including bacteria and chlorine levels?

Please explain how corrosion control works, including an explanation of how phosphate is used.

  • The City of Flint states “The City of Flint, the MDEQ, and the EPA have worked together closely to determine the necessary amount of Phosphate to be added to the water. Phosphate is a type of salt containing the natural mineral phosphorus and is added to water distribution systems across the country for corrosion control. The phosphates build-up a protective layer inside pipes so that metals like lead and copper do not leach into the water. This protective layer is known as scale and collects on the sides of the pipes by sticking to the metal. ” – Flint Increases Corrosion Control in Water
  • EPA’s Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations for Primacy Agencies and Public Water Systems document provides an in-depth explanation of Corrosion Control Treatments established in the Lead and Copper Rule. 

The Great Lakes Water Authority as recently increased the dose of orthophosphate to their water to better control corrosion of lead across their distribution system.  Will I see an increase of orthophosphate in my water in the City of Flint as a result?

  • No.  Great Lakes Water Authority’s increased orthophosphate doesn’t have any impact on Flint’s required minimum concentration of orthophosphate. Flint finished water quality shouldn’t change.  The City of Flint should be able to add less orthophosphate as GLWA adds more.

Please explain why my home is required to have a new water meter.

  • Flint residents have been mandated to replace their water meters to ensure that meters are working properly to determine household water bills based on accurate water usage. For up-to-date information on household water meters, visit the City of Flint Progress Report webpage.

How are water rates set and how can the city ensure affordability?

Who is responsible for testing and repair to plumbing in individual homes?

  • The water utility is responsible for the drinking water distribution system up to the service connection to the home or building. The homeowner or building owner is responsible for the service line and the premise plumbing system.

What are the primary and secondary sources of drinking water for the City of Flint?

The primary supplier of drinking water is The Great Lakes Water Authority in Detroit and the secondary supplier of drinking water is Genesee County. Please refer to the City of Flint FAQ website for more information about this question. 

Are there any fish consumption advisories for fish caught in the Flint River?

  • See pages 24-28 for fish consumption guidance provided by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in the 2023 Eat Safe Fish Guide for Southeast Michigan.
  • How the Eat Safe Fish guidelines are made
  • View Reports & Science page for the  data used to create the Eat Safe Fish guidelines.

Health 

What services are available to me, or my family, if we have been exposed to lead through drinking water or other media?

  • Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. It may not have obvious symptoms, so people might not realize they have too much lead in their bodies. For young children, exposure to lead can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities. The only way to know if you have lead in your body is to get tested. Read more information about getting tested. 
  • Children and young adults between the ages of 0 and 17 that have current open MDHHS Juvenile Justice cases may be eligible to receive a Comprehensive Trauma Assessment. Read more information on the trauma assessment program and eligibility requirements.
  • Residents can have lead-based paint hazards remediated from their homes at NO COST through a special grant program facilitated by the City of Flint and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For a home to be considered for home lead abatement, the following requirements must be met:
    • Home built before 1978.
    • Household includes children under the age of 6 or an expectant mother.
    • Property taxes are or will be paid. If uncertain, contact The City of Flint Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program Manager, Michael Carpenter, at 810-237-2019 or [email protected] .
    • If the home is a rental property, the landlord must agree to rent the unit at affordable housing rates for 3 years after lead abatement is completed.
    • Household qualifies as moderate- to low-income (based on HUD guidelines, defined as earnings that are 80% or less than the area median income). 
    • Residents can request an application (fill out a Google form) on the website.
  • Visit the Flint Registry for additional services and programs to promote health and wellness.  
  • GHS offers a free 24/7 Crisis Hotline and Virtual Behavioral Health Urgent Care:  810-257-3740, as well as a 24/7 text line: Text FLINT to 741741 24 hours a day. 
    • Their website also has an adult resource library that consists of various sources of resources for community members.

Where and how can I find testing for myself and my family if I have been exposed to lead from drinking water?

  • Adults currently in their 20s who were children during the water crisis are encouraged to speak with their doctor, primary health care provider, psychiatrist, or neurologist to discuss any available neurodevelopmental testing for adults. Any children between the age of 3 and 17 who have yet to graduate high school, have lived, worked, or attended day-care/school in Flint or surrounding areas supplied by the lead-contaminated Flint water anytime from April 2014 to September 2021, currently resides in Genesee County, and has active Medicaid is eligible for a FREE brief screening to determine medical necessity for a neuropsychological assessment through the Neurodevelopmental Center of Excellence. 
    • Additionally, the Flint Registry Annual Report 2023 states "the Flint Registry is a project that connects people to services and programs to promote health and wellness and helps understand how the Flint Water Crisis has affected the Flint community." - . The Flint Registry helps address public health concerns reported by Flint residents and connect them to resources available to support those affected by the water crisis. See more information about the Flint Registry.
  • Michigan Lead Safe has additional information on blood lead testing.
  • Children aged 0-5 can receive blood lead testing through the Genesee County Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children Clinic.

Should I be concerned about lead exposure for myself or my family from other water uses such as laundry, dishes, or watering my garden?

  • No. It is safe to wash dishes and clothes with plain tap water but dry them after. Wash dishes, bottles, and toys with unfiltered soapy water. Dry before use. Lead in water will not be absorbed by porcelain, metal, or glass. Clothes washed in plain tap water will not contain enough lead to cause harm. 
  • Your skin does not absorb lead in water. If plain tap water has too much lead, bathing and showering is still safe for children and adults. It is safe even if the skin has minor cuts or scrapes. Never drink bathwater, and do not allow babies and children to drink bathwater. Rashes have many causes, but no medical link between rashes and unfiltered water has been found. If you have concerns, call your primary care doctor and call 2-1-1. 
  • "Irrigating (watering) your garden with lead-contaminated water does not significantly increase soil lead levels. If you are concerned about watering with lead-contaminated water, you can purchase a lead filter that attaches to your garden hose or purchase a rain barrel to make a rainwater catchment system" 
    Note: Sourced from Frequently Asked Questions About Lead and Garden Soil.
    • Find additional about the research conducted in How Might Flint’s Water Contamination Affect Garden Soils Part 1 and Part 2. 

Please provide information on any Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry investigations in Flint

  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services conducted a data review of cancer incidences in the City of Flint compared to Genesee County and the State of Michigan for the years 2000-2018. This study focused on specific cancers that could be associated with exposure to lead, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, and/or total trihalomethanes; however, this study was designed only to be an overview and comparison of the cancer data available from the Cancer Registry Program. The cancer sites reviewed in this study associated with exposures included: colon, rectum, stomach, lung and bronchus, larynx, prostate gland, ovary, testes, urinary bladder, kidney and renal pelvis, brain and other central nervous system , and meningioma. This data review was released May 19, 2021.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Flint Rash Investigation
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Flint Water Crisis, Michigan – 2016 

How can I learn about Legionnaires Disease in my community?

Bottled Water and Filters

Who is responsible for providing bottled water in Flint?

  • Currently no parties are responsible for providing bottled water in Flint.
  • Bottled water provided by the State of Michigan was discontinued on April 7, 2018.
  • Bottled water provided by Blue Triton Brands was discontinued on December 31, 2022.

How were the filters determined to be effective and what chemicals are removed by a filter?

Where can I obtain a filter in my community and how do I learn to install and care for it?

What is a better choice, bottled water or filtered water, and how do I make that choice for myself and my family? Should I use filtered water until my lead service line is removed?

  • To determine/evaluate the risk between filtered tap water or bottled water, it is important to know that drinking water standards apply to both sources of water. EPA regulates tap water, and the FDA regulates bottled water. If EPA makes any adjustments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, you should expect to see similar changes that reflect these in FDA regulations for bottled water. For more information, read through Water Health Series: Bottled Water Basics and Water on Tap: What you need to know.
  • Any individuals who feel they may be at risk from the consumption of filtered tap water, such as those who are immunocompromised or have weakened immune systems, should consult with a physician to develop an individualized safe drinking water plan to address raised health concerns. The Genesee County Community Health Access Program is one resource available that provides personalized screening and intervention to residents. Learn more about this program.
  • EPA’s press release, Filtered Water Deemed Safe For Everyone In The Flint Community,  states "Based on EPA’s findings and previous independent filter testing by Virginia Tech University researchers and National Science Foundation International which certifies water filters, all local, state and federal agencies involved in the Flint crisis response agree that the use of these National Science Foundation verified filters makes water safe from lead for all populations. Pregnant and nursing women and children no longer need to drink bottled water to avoid lead exposure as long as they drink water that has passed through a filter rated to remove lead from drinking water." 

Enforcement


Can the community be consulted / engaged in the enforcement process for SDWA or any other statute?

  • EPA is restricted from communicating with parties external to itself about enforcement actions. Continuing to implement these procedures will ensure an open and fair process and will allow enforcement staff to negotiate and conclude cases successfully. When sensitive enforcement information is released by EPA through either discussions or written communications, it may result in less protection of public health and the environment and jeopardize settlement negotiations. 

Why does the enforcement process vary across communities and/or topics? 

Engagement

How can Flint Residents engage on water issues?

Who do I contact regarding drinking water in my home or community and how can I be informed of ongoing work that affects my drinking water? How do I elevate my concern if I do not receive a timely response?

How is clear and concise drinking water quality data and reporting made available to all residents, including non-English speakers and/or the hearing-impaired residents?

Lead Service Lines 

Does removing the lead service line in my community reduce my exposure to lead?

  • Planning and Conducting Lead Service Line Replacement website says “The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Replacing lead service lines reduces lead exposure by removing this source.” 
  • Residents still have potential exposures to lead from in home plumbing. The use of corrosion control reduces the risks and increases protection against exposure. Michigan has many services that may assist residents with the replacement of in-home plumbing to limit exposure to lead.
  • Learn more about these services. 

How can the city ensure that 100% of LSLs are identified and removed?

Drinking Water Regulations and implementation 

Who is responsible for LCR sampling in Flint?

  • The City of Flint is responsible for conducting testing at the required tier one and tier two sites and adhering to Michigan EGLE’s Lead and Copper Rule monitoring requirements and oversight. USEPA is responsible for providing oversight to State Agencies implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Read more on the latest Lead and Copper Rule testing results on the City of Flint or Michigan Department EGLE websites. 

What is the difference between National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and Secondary Drinking Water Standards? 

  • National Primary Drinking Water Regulations are legally enforceable primary standards and treatment techniques that apply to public water systems. Primary standards and treatment techniques protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water.  Barium is a NPDWR.
  • EPA has established National Secondary Drinking Water Standards that set non-mandatory water quality standards for 15 contaminants. EPA does not enforce these "secondary maximum contaminant levels. They are established as guidelines to assist public water systems in managing their drinking water for aesthetic considerations, such as taste, color, and odor. These contaminants are not considered to present a risk to human health at the SMCL.

What is the role of the USEPA in Flint regarding regulation implementation?

Air 

What is the current state of air quality in and around Flint, Michigan and how is that data collected?

Waste Water 

How does the NPDES permitting process work and who is responsible for compliance in Flint?

  • The EPA has authorized the State of Michigan to administer the NPDES program in Michigan. This means that Michigan is responsible for deciding whether to issue or deny NPDES permit coverage to point source discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States that occur within the State of Michigan. While Michigan is the permitting authority, EPA retains the authority to oversee Michigan’s NPDES permitting program. The State and the EPA have the authority to carry out NPDES enforcement activities in Michigan. 
  • The NPDES program is a diverse program covering many types of discharges to waters of the United States. For more information on the NPDES program, see EPA’s NPDES website. 
  • For more information on Michigan EGLE’s NPDES program, see EGLE’s NPDES website.

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Last updated on November 14, 2024