State officials on Friday, April 6, announced Flint residents would no longer receive free bottled water after they claim testing shows the city's water quality was restored.

Water distribution will end once all of the currently-stocked water has been distributed. Officials have not said when they expect supplies to run out.

As part of the announcement, the state Department of Environmental Quality released information for residents on its actions in response to the water crisis. Here is what the state wants residents to know:

Jake May

What is the City's Current Water Quality?

For nearly two years, Flint 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 water is testing as good as, and in many cases better than, other cities in Michigan and across the nation.

Don't Edit

Jake May

Why did the PODs close?

Flint 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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

What types of testing have been conducted in the City of Flint?

Flint 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. 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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

Why is the state not providing bottled water until all of the pipes are replaced?

Replacement of lead service lines through the 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 service line replacement program out of an abundance of caution.

Don't Edit

Jake May

Is the water tap-drinkable?

Flint 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.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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

Don't Edit

Jake May

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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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 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.

Don't Edit

Jake May

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 cannot? 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.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Jake May

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