F Flint Water Crisis Public Archive

Jessica Dupnack

News Reporter at ABC12 News / Media

27

Emails

Feb 2015–Dec 2015

Archive range

27 emails found.

statement

See all emails with these participants
Hi Jessica, Thank you for your patience and assistance. You can attribute this to me: The letter from the Office of the Auditor General includes some criticisms, but also reflects that state officials were following accepted protocols, or in one case, an interpretation of the corrosion control program that the EPA later clarified. But we need to do better in ensuring Flint residents have safe water and tracking children affected by elevated lead levels. We continue to work with the bipartisan task force that is reviewing all the actions at the state, local and federal level and is expected to offer recommendations in a month or so. Gov. Snyder is committed to working with Flint Mayor Weaver and officials on these issues. xxxEND_PAGE:executiveofficeemails20_b1330_3431_3432_1 Jessica, for your background, here's a helpful summary of answers from the Office of the Auditor General in response to questions mostly posed by Sen. Jim Ananich's office (the auditor added a few questions in the 11-page report). The questions were posed as the OAG conducts an audit of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance's handling of the Flint water crisis. Conclusions: * -- While the Flint City Council voted in March 2013 to move to the KWA pipeline, it didn't designate the Flint River as an interim water source. But the Department of Environmental Quality had approved the river as a backup source for emergency purposes in 2006. The treated water met safety standards in quarterly tests by the Flint Water Treatment Plant, but Flint had never tested its effect on the distribution system. * -- In an email review of key DEQ managers to determine if there was an effort to conceal information, only one email exchange raised red flags. The Environmental Protection Agency had asked DEQ in February 2015 if Flint had a corrosion control program; the DEQ responded the city had an optimized program in place. In April the EPA asked again, and the DEQ said that the Flint Water Treatment Plant was not doing corrosion control. DEQ later explained that the first answer was referring to its Lead and Copper Rule program, in which it monitors a new water source (in this case, the Flint river) for lead/copper for two consecutive six-month periods to determine if corrosion treatment is necessary. The report says there's no reason to believe that DEQ willfully misrepresented information to the EPA. It also concludes that Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance employees appeared to have notified management properly about the unfolding Flint water situation. * - DEQ did not consult with the EPA on how best to apply the Lead and Copper Rule monitoring practices after the switch to Flint water, but from past experience, DEQ believed it was doing so correctly by doing two rounds of six-month monitoring on the new water source before determining optimal corrosion control. The EPA disagreed with DEQ's interpretation of the LCR, but later stated that the LCR was open to interpretation. It then clarified the rule: Corrosion controls already in place when Flint was on Detroit water should have been maintained after the switch. xxxEND_PAGE:executiveofficeemails20_b1330_3431_3432_2

Ananich Statement

See all emails with these participants
Just FYI | did do an on cam with him to but this statement came prior to that. "The Auditor General has provided an important piece of this puzzle and I'm sure the extended report they are working on will reveal additional information,” said Ananich. “What's clear is that corrosion control should have been used and there are serious failings in our system that must be addressed. Between the FOIA emails released recently and these findings, it's obvious that legislative oversight is the best way to see how all of these pieces fit together. | expect holding hearings to be high on the agenda when the Legislature returns.” Thanks! Jessica Dupnack xxxEND_PAGE:executiveofficeemails20_b1290_3321_3321_1

RE: Look for a statement

See all emails with these participants
| appreciate the reply. | have one further question. In this statement - "the increase appeared to be consistent with the routine seasonal fluctuation seen in the summer months." BUT according to the data collected and notes provided by Cristin Larder on July 28, 2015 it specifically says: "Based on the results depicted in Figure 3 positives tests for EBLL were higher than usual for children under age 16 in the City of Flint during the months of July, August and September, 2014." While | understand a sample size in July can't reflect a direct correlation to the water switch - comparing summer 2014 to previous years AND accounting for seasonal variance - Larder wrote "there does appear to be a high proportion of EBLL last summer than usual" | guess | am just confused how this report in July is consistent with what the department is saying now?

RE: Look for a statement

See all emails with these participants
Thanks for your patience on this. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has consistently provided information regarding the city of Flint and blood lead levels. When initially looking at the citywide and county elevated blood lead level numbers, the increase appeared to be consistent with the routine seasonal fluctuation seen in the summer months. It wasn't until the Hurley report came out that our epidemiologists took a more in-depth look at the data by zip code, controlling for seasonal variation, and confirmed an increase outside of normal trends. As a result of this process, we have determined that the way we analyze data collected needs to be thoroughly reviewed. Additionally, Gov. Rick Snyder has created a Flint Water Task Force to review all city, state and federal responses and actions and is expected to make recommendations moving forward. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is focused on ensuring appropriate case management and follow up in Flint. Summary reports outlining blood lead level testing are posted online on a bi-weekly basis, and we work closely with local partners to fulfill data requests as we receive them. Regarding the FOIA, Mr. Edwards received all of the requested documents, with personal information redacted, on Friday, December 18. xxxEND_PAGE:executiveofficeemails20_b1263_3190_3193_2 Jennifer Eisner Public Information Officer Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office: 517-241-2112 or Eisner) @michigan.gov oono Original Message-----

Re: Look for a statement

From
Jessica Dupnack
To
Unknown recipient
> > Here is a link to the article posted by Edwards. ; > > Let me know if/when MDHHS will have a statement. Thank you.

Look for a statement

See all emails with these participants
> > Hello! | received some information from Marc Edwards this morning regarding some FOIA information that he received. I'm wondering if you are aware of the documentation he's received? And if the department has any comment. > > The "headline" of their report is "Michigan Health department his evidence of health had due to lead contaminated water"...so clearly some strong statements with the FOIA documents as source citing. Let me know if you have any comment! Thanks again. > > Thanks! > Jessica Dupnack xxxEND_PAGE:executiveofficeemails20_b1263_3190_3193_4

RE: Flint Water Class Action

See all emails with these participants
Greetings, lessica —- Happy te share corament frarn our and, which is... You are correct - we haven't been served yet so can't comment on specific details, What would say is that we're focused on moving forward and ensuring public health and clean, safe drinking water. The governor has outlined a detailed multiple step action plan for both immediate, mid and long term. He has also appointed a task force doing a very important job of reviewing all past actions. They are a bipartisan group of people of the highest Integrity, axnerts in their fields and widely respected who are going to do a very thorough, oblective raview. Just lat me know if anything more needed at all. Thanks and best, SW

Water Documents

See all emails with these participants
Good afternoon Brad. We are piggy backing the Flint Journal article today about the documents from the City of Flint showing that lead testing was falsified. In regards to tests that were done at homes without lead service lines but actually did not. | was wondering if the DEQ had any comment on this? We are trying to do the story today...thanks for your help! xxxEND_PAGE:deq14_b0851_2800_2800_1

Showing 1-25 of 27