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This isn’t formatted yet, but wanted to get a version out there as | continue to work on this. | tried to focus on the human element, and where people can get information. Tried to be light on the jargon. Please give a quick read. Dave Oct. 2, 2015 For More Information: Sara Wurfel or Dave Murray Brad Waurfel, 517-284-6713, Angela Minicuci Gov. Rick Snyder: Comprehensive action plan will help Flint residents address water concerns Collaborative effort with state, federal and city leaders focuses on testing, assistance FLINT, Mich. — Flint residents need to have access to safe, clean, water now and long into the future, Gov. Rick Snyder said, announcing a comprehensive action plan created with state, federal and city leaders to address concerns about drinking water. The water leaving Flint’s drinking water system is safe to drink, but some families with lead plumbing in their homes might experience higher levels of lead in the water that comes out of their faucets. The action plan focuses on increasing water testing, offering additional precautions for families with lead plumbing in their homes, and providing long-term solutions to address the city’s water infrastructure 1 xxxEND_PAGE:deq14_b0588_1955_1957_1 challenges. The plan was created at Snyder's direction by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the City of Flint. “We are deeply concerned by the lead results we are seeing in parts of Flint,” Snyder said. “People are worried about their health and their families, and they need to have accurate information. Today’s action plan builds upon ongoing work with state and federal agencies and our partnership with city and community leaders. Together, we are working to ensure that all Flint residents can feel safe and address potential problems.” The city and the state also are working together to gather more data to ensure the water that leaves the treatment plant as well as the water that arrives in Flint homes is safe for all residents. The plan includes: e Testing in Flint public schools immediately to ensure that drinking water is safe, with testing also available at no cost to any other school in Flint. e Expanding health exposure testing of individual homes. e Offering free water testing to Flint residents to assure their drinking water is safe. e Beginning an optimization of corrosion controls in the Flint drinking water system. e Convening a Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee to ensure the best technology, practices and science are being followed, and adding an expert from the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development to the group. e Accelerating water system improvements to address replacement of lead service lines. e Naming Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as the Flint drinking water public health adviser. e Providing Flint residents with water filters for their faucets. e Expanding a comprehensive lead education initiative to make sure residents have detailed information about to protect themselves and their homes. e Expediting the completion of the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline. Residents can have their water tested by calling 810-787-6537 and pressing 1, or emailing # rt. Additional information is available at State health experts said there has been an increase in elevated childhood blood lead levels in some specific communities. Initial analysis of MDHHS data found that blood lead levels of children in Flint have followed an expected seasonal trend. While this analysis for Flint as a whole remains true, a comprehensive and detailed review breaking down data by ZIP codes with the city revealed that MDHHS data is consistent with a study presented recently by Hurley Children’s Hospital. xxxEND_PAGE:deq14_b0588_1955_1957_2 “While we cannot conclusively say that the water source change is the sole cause of the increase, this analysis supports our efforts as we take active steps to reduce all potential lead exposures in Flint,” MDHHS Director Nick Lyon said. “As part of this, we are working closely with our public and private partners to provide Flint residents on MDHHS assistance programs with water filters and educate families about the steps they can take to reduce all lead exposures in their home.” As a part of the action plan, MDHHS is making National Sanitation Foundation certified water filters available to clients who are active Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, Child Development and Care or Social Security Insurance recipients. “This action plan offers concrete steps we will take in a local, state and federal partnership to ensure all Flint residents have safe water to drink,” DEQ Director Dan Wyant said. “The DEQ will work closely with the city to gather further data to ensure the water that leaves Flint’s system as well as the water that arrives in Flint homes is safe to drink.” HHH Dave Murray Deputy Press Secretary | Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder OY 517-449-8343, mobile Twitter:@michigandmurray xxxEND_PAGE:deq14_b0588_1955_1957_3