Hi,
I am a reporter for Bridge Magazine working on a deadline story about Flint's drinking water. My story will
focus on state involvement and state policy.
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My major questions:
1. Several agencies and officials are involved - can you clarify DEQ's role in the Flint water situation?
The City of Flint water system is one of over 1400 Cammunity Water Systems in Michigan raguiated under the Michigan
Safe Drinking Water Act (1976 Public Act 299, as armended}, which incorporates requirements of the federal Safe
(yinking Water Act, The DEQ Office of Drinking Weter and Municipal Assistance has been given authority for oversight
of these regulations. DEQ regulatory oversight is mainly conducted through inspections, review of monitoring
information {this includes sample results and operations datal, issuance of construction parmits for water systems, and
tanning {rellability, emergency response, capital improvement, operation and rnaintenance, etc.) As both community
water systems and the [£0 desire the mutual goal af safe water, the DECL warks proactively in partnershin with water
systems to provide compllance assistance. This alse includes activities such as source water protection and
infrastructure funding.
2. What is the DEQ's response to the mayor's request for assistance?
As indicated by phone this letter was directed to the Gavernor’s Office and should be followed up with that office for
response at this point in time.
3. What on-going testing is DEQ doing with Flint water and how often?
The City is required to follow all state and federal monitoring requirements under Act 399. This includes sample analysis
of over 96 contaminants with health based drinking water standards along with monitoring of its source, treatment, and
distribution operations. Sammie analysis frequency is based on the specific contaminant type, its level of detection if
any, and its potential variability.
in regards to total coliform and ¢.cali bacteria compliance monitaring, the City is required to analyze at least 166
samples each monthly compliance period frorn its distribution systarn.
ins rewards to Total Trihalomethane (TTHM] compliance monitoring, the City is required to collect quarterly samples from
8 locations in its distribution system. The TTHM standard is basecl on a Running Annual Avera:
: for each of the &
locations, rather then individual sample results. The location and timing af these sarnples is baseci on warst case
conditions in the water system to identify the highest level of long term exposure.
4. So far, how many drinking water violations have occurred in Flint since the switch to Flint River water
and what sanctions - if any - does the city face?
The City has had the following Mepdmum Contaminant Level (MCL} standard violations:
E.Coli Acute bacteria MCL violation, August 2034
Yotai Coliform bacteria MCL violation, Sentember 2074
TTHM locational running annual average MCL violation, October-December quarter (2 af 8 sites}
There are generally two requirements in regards to the violations: Public Neatification and corrective action
Public Notice for acute haalth threats like the e.coll MCL must ba made within 24 hours of the violation.
Public Notice for nan-acute health threats such as total coliform bacteria and TTHM must be made within 30 days of the
vidlation.
Corrective action regarding bacteria detections generally involves taking steps to disinfect and repair the affected areas
and sampling to obtain confirmation the bacteria source is has been aciiressed.
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The City has rernained in cornpliance with this standard for each of the monthly monitoring periods since September,
including thus far in January
Corrective action for TTHM involves taking steps to reduce the ammount of PTHM so that they are below the
standard. The City is required to complete an Operational Evaluation report within 90 days of the violation. This report
includes examination of treatment and distribution operational practices source water quality, treatrnent changes,
storage tank operations, axcess storage capacity, distribution system flushing, treatment problems that contribute to
TTHM formation. The City proactively completed an Operational Evaluation following sample results from August 2014,
and is now completing another operational evaluation further evaluated based on inforrnation fram the November
monitoring. November monitoring showed individual sariole results now below the standard at 7 of 8 locations.
However, as reted compllance is determined based on a running annual average at each location.
5. What does DEQ tell Flint residents who call DEQ with concerns about discolored water?
Callers indicating discoloration ar other aesthetic water quality issues are directed to contact the Hint DPW to allow the
DPW staff to investigate the situation. Generally color, odor and taste are aesthetic water quality issues not related to
any health based standards including total coliform hacteria, e.coll bacteria, and TTHM.
Treated water is monitored for color at the Water Treatrnent Plant as part of its operation, anc has not been
abnormal. The City of Flint has over 500 miles of distribution piping and conditions in some isolated sections of water
main piping or private premise olumbing may cause changes to aesthetic conditions such as color, taste, or odor.
Those are my major questions. Could you please give me a call today?
Chastity Pratt Dawsey
Reporter
Bridge Magazine/The Center for Michigan
28 W. Adams Suite 330, Detroit, MI 48226
w ridgemicom
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