FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Flint’s Current Water Quality?
For nearly two years, Flint’s water has tested below action levels of the U.S. federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR).
Preliminary data for the first half of this six-month monitoring period is 4 parts per billion (ppb), which is well below the
federal action level of 15 ppb. At 4 ppb, Flint’s water is testing as good as, and in many cases better than, other cities in
Michigan and across the nation.
Why did the PODs close?
Flint’s water continues to test the same as or better than similar cities across the state and country. The State of
Michigan could have ended bottled water in early September 2017 in accordance with the mediated Concerned
Pastors for Social Action settlement agreed to by the City of Flint, the State of Michigan, The Concerned Pastors for
Social Action and other stakeholder groups.
However, the State of Michigan continued funding the water distribution locations over the past seven months,
partnering with the City of Flint, local churches and two nonprofit partners, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and
the United Way of Genesee County, to keep bottled water available until even greater amounts of water quality testing
throughout the community could occur.
What types of testing have been conducted in the City of Flint?
Flint’s water is one of the most monitored and tested systems in the country. Thousands of tests have been performed
by the State of Michigan, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and various independent entities such as
Michigan State University and Virginia Tech. Some of the state testing includes:
• Federal Lead and Copper Rule - Flint has been in compliance for nearly two years;
• Confirming Lead Elimination After Replacement (CLEAR) - The last round of testing showed that 100 percent of
the samples collected were below the 15 ppb federal action level after service line replacement was completed;
• School and elder care facility testing - Over 90 percent of unfiltered water samples were at or below the 5 ppb
bottled water standard; and
• Residential water testing - Approximately half of Flint residences had their water tested. CORE (Community Outreach
Resident Education) teams have visited every home in Flint to offer filter education, free water testing, and to provide information
on available resources.
Will filters and water test kits continue to be available?
Yes. The state will continue to provide free water filters, replacement cartridges and water testing kits until service line
replacement is completed. Filters will continue to be available at City Hall or by contacting CORE at 810-238-6700.
What if I need help with a filter?
Flint residents can call CORE at 810-238-6700 with questions about filter usage or to schedule a home visit by a
CORE team. The CORE program was established to ensure Flint residents are properly installing, using and maintaining
their water filters and aware of available resources. CORE members are Flint residents going door-to-door to assist
fellow residents.
How do I know filters work?
Water filters are effective at removing lead and other contaminants by 99.9 percent when properly installed and
adequately maintained. The U.S. EPA and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) tested water filters in
Flint and found that NSF-certified filters distributed by the state make water safe from lead for everyone.Samples
were collected at high-risk locations at homes with full-lead service lines, galvanized plumbing and where the most
vulnerable populations live, including pregnant mothers and children.
What happens to workers once the POD locations close?
Flint residents were hired as part of the temporary work experience program to receive job training and employment
opportunities as part of Flint water recovery efforts. Workers assigned to PODs were notified that their work experience
was ending, provided information on any potential state benefits and were notified of job fairs and training for
permanent employment. GST Michigan Works! career coaches will continue to assist worker transition following the
completion of the work experience program.
What about testing in the schools and elder care facilities?
State officials have conducted extensive flushing and multiple rounds of testing, replacing fixtures and installing over
1,400 filters in schools, day care and elder care facilities. Unfiltered water results showed that more than 90 percent of
the results were at or below the 5 ppb bottled water standard. Any test results of concern occurred at individual points
of use and are not indicative of the overall water quality within a school building. The MDEQ will continue to work
closely with facilities on recommendations for proper filter usage.
Why isn’t the state providing bottled water until all of the pipes are replaced?
Replacement of lead service lines through Mayor Karen Weaver’s FAST Start program continues to be the long-term
objective. The state has committed the funding to complete pipe replacement and is working with the City of Flint to
continue efforts to replace lead and galvanized service lines. Water filters and cartridges will continue to be provided to
residents whose homes are part of the serviceline replacement program out of an abundance of caution.
Is the water “tap-drinkable”?
Flint’s water continues to test the same as or better than similar cities across the state and country. The state is still
recommending filters out of an abundance of caution, not knowing the full impact of service line replacement and broad
excavation. Although the water coming into structures is stable, the plumbing and fixtures in older structures can be a
problem, which is why more communities across the United States are finding filtered water to be a best practice.
How else is the state supporting the city now that bottled water is gone?
The state has provided more than $350 million to Flint, in addition to the $100 million from the federal government,
all of which is helping with water quality improvements, pipe replacement, health care, food resources, educational
resources, job training creation and more. The State of Michigan remains committed to supporting the City of Flint as it
continues to recover and rebuild.
What are some of the health care resources available to assist Flint families?
Expanded health care coverage - Medicaid coverage is available at no cost to many Flint residents who have
been served by the Flint water system since April 2014. This includes children and adults up to age 21 and pregnant
women. Individuals may qualify for doctor visits for checkups, back-to-school physicals and shots, dental, vision,
nutrition counseling, behavioral health and other health services. Additional information can be found online at
www.michigan.gov/mibridges, by phone at (866) 789-5610, TTY 1(866) 501-5656 or by visiting a Department of Health
and Human Services office.
Fight lead with nutrition - Foods with calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help limit the effects of lead. For example, milk
and things made with milk, like yogurt and cheese; green leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale, and collard greens; citrus
fruits, like oranges or grapefruit; and lots of other fruits and vegetables, like cauliflower, strawberries and kiwi.
• Children’s Health Access Program (MiCHAP) l www.michildrenshealth.org/contact l 517-664-9804
• Double Up Food Bucks l www.doubleupfoodbucks.org/flint l 866-586-2796
• Mobile Food Pantry l www.fbem.org/where-to-get-food l 810-239-4441
• Valley Area Agency on Aging (senior services) l www.valleyareaaging.org l 810-249-0833
• Healthy Homes lead abatement program l 866-691-5323
• MTA Flint Rides to Wellness l www.mtaflint.org/ridetowellness.html l 810-767-0100
• Genesee County Health Department blood lead testing l www.gchd.us/about-us l 810-257-3833
Has the water testing data been independently verified? If so, how long
will independent verification continue?
Yes, under the terms of the mediated Concerned Pastors for Social Action settlement agreement, there is an
independent third party to conduct household tap water monitoring for lead in compliance with the federal Lead and
Copper Rule. Independent testing will be conducted for a minimum of one year or up to three years.
You are only using lead data - what about other things in the water, such
as legionella, chlorine levels, etc.?
The City of Flint monitors the city’s distribution system and has been extensively testing for a number of water quality
parameters, such as pH levels, orthophosphate, chlorine residuals, and others. The results of this testing is posted on
the www.michigan.gov/flintwater site.
The water bills in Flint are still unaffordable – no one has done anything
about that. Once people go back to using their water instead of bottled water
for everything, how are they going to be able to afford their bills? What
happens if they can’t? Will they get their water shut off?
Questions regarding water bills and/or shutoffs should be directed to the City of Flint Water Department customer
service center at (810) 766-7015.
Why won’t anyone in state government come right out and say the water
is ‘safe to drink’? Is it or isn’t it?
The standard is that the water system must comply with the federal Lead and Copper Rule. Under those guidelines, Flint’s
water system is producing water that meets very high standards – even better than other water systems in cities of similar
size across the nation.
For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater
