Updated press release with new filter information
- From
- David Murray
- To
- Sara Wurfel , Brad Wurfel , Jarrod Agen , Jordan Kennedy
Team, here is the updated press release with the new information about the filters highlighted below.
Please let us know if there should be changes.
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 or service connections could 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
challenges. The plan was created at Snyder's direction by the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) and Health and Human Services (DHHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the city of
Flint.
“We are focused on helping ensure safe, clean, accessible drinking water and addressing and mitigating
concerns and protecting public health,” Snyder said. “Today’s action plan builds upon ongoing work with local,
state and federal agencies and our partnership with city and community leaders. Together, we are working to
ensure that all Flint residents have accurate information and know that help is available to 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.
Offering free water testing to Flint residents to assure their drinking water is safe.
Providing free water filters to residents.
Expanding health exposure testing of individual homes.
Accelerating corrosion controls in the Flint drinking water system.
Accelerating water system improvements to address replacing lead service lines.
Expediting the completion of the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline.
Expanding a Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee to ensure the best technology,
practices and science are being followed by adding an expert from the Environmental Protection
Agency’s Office of Research and Development to the group.
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.
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e Boosting a comprehensive lead education program to make sure residents have detailed information
about how to protect themselves and their homes.
Residents can have their water tested by calling |_ nd pressing 1, or emailing
ry 4.corn. The DEQ is covering the cost of this testing.
State leaders have been working closely with state and federal lawmakers to tap resources at all levels of
government to address concerms.
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.
“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 free water filters and inform families about the steps they can
take to reduce all lead exposures in their home.”
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“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.”
Additional information is available at waw. michigan gow flint
HHH
Dave Murray
Deputy Press Secretary | Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder
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