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
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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.
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“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
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