FLINT, MI -- The Michigan State Police captain overseeing the state's response to the Flint water crisis says non-residents are loading up on free water that's being distributed at nine sites in the city.

"We do believe that people from outside of Flint are coming in, visiting ... some of the other distribution locations and obtaining bottled water," MSP Capt. Chris Kelenske said during a meeting of the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee on Friday, July 21.

"I do think it's time for us to re-evaluate with the city, the verification process to (deal with) those who are taking advantage of the commodities that are meant for those affected by this event," Kelenske said. "I have a lot of anecdotal evidence ... We have seen bottled water heading out of Flint in cars, (and) it's clear to me we have to re-evaluate our process."

The state-stocked water distribution sites offer free bottled water, faucet filters and replacement cartridges to city residents and don't require identification.

Soon after the water distribution sites opened, the state said in a news release that it would ask residents for their addresses "in order to more accurately gather information for long-term recovery efforts," but added that "no resident will be denied resources if an address is not provided."

Kelenske said he believes the increasing demand for bottled water is being driven in part by non-residents tapping into the free resource.

"We are pushing more bottled water out now than we ever have," Kelenske said, and overall, 6 million cases of water have been distributed in the city.

MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach Kelenske or Kristin Moore, a spokeswoman for Mayor Karen Weaver for further comment.

The future of the Flint water distribution sites has been the subject of speculation since the state settled a lawsuit with the Concerned Pastors for Social Action and others.

The settlement allows the state to shut down the distribution sites later this year if Flint water meets the threshold for lead in the federal Lead and Copper Rule during testing in the first six months of this year.