Hi Brad,
One more question: where has Liane Shekter Smith been reassigned to?
Ms. Shekter Smith has been assigned to other dufies within the department until the
Governor's third-party, afler action review fearn completes lis work.
Best,
Azure
Hi Brad,
Some follow up questions to the DEC news release about Hint drinking water earlier today:
1. How would the protocol have been different if the MDEQ followed the correct federal regulations of a city for
100,000 people?
There’s @ provision in the federal rule based on popuwialion: When a water provider serving a
population of more than 50,000 people adapts a new water source, the operator must continue full
corrosion control even as the water system is put through two rounds of 6-month lead and capper
surveillance testing. On systerns that serve populations less than 50k, this is noi a requirernent.
Water systems in the siste are fairly well established. None of cur staff had ever worked on @ source
change for a system serving more than 50,000 secole.
2. Many citizens in Flint have said that 100 water kits should have been tested instead of 69. Does this fall under the
category of correct federal regulations?
This was done correctly. Census deta indicated incorporaied al the end of 2014 indicated Flint’s
ponulation had dropped beicewy 100,000 neapie, and the lead testing is based on population size. The
city was required to provide 60 sarnpies in the January / July 2015 sarnpling round. They produced So
samples.
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3. When did the MDEQ become aware that the proper federal regulations were not followed?
\e've been conducting an internal review over the pasi several weeks, even as we're mohilizing a
large, mulll-agency effort to irmlement the governor's olan to disiribute itters, test and inspect the
schools, encourage parents to get kids tested and encourages concerned residents to have their water
tesied for free. The internal review has included reviewing cormmunications with city and federal
pariners, and diacussing the situation with pragram staff. With respect to the corrosion orotacol, the
picture became increasingly clear for department leadership over ine past week.
Best,
Azure Gilman
Uman®.
xxxEND_PAGE:deq15_b271_1098_1099_2
Sent from my iPhone
Hello,
My name is Azure Gilman, and |’m a digital reporter from Al Jazeera America. I have a few
questions about the water in Flint, Michigan.
1. LeeAnne Walters says that when the water in her house was tested by the city and
the MDEQ found to have high lead levels, city officials consistently said that her house
was an exception, and that this was not a widespread problem. Can you comment on
this?
Our staff have been informed that this homeowner had an unusually long lead service line which appears to
have contributed to her situation. However, this question is better addressed by the city. They looked into it and
eventually replaced it for the resident.
2. Why did the MDEQ lower the total number of water samples required for Flint to test from 100 to
60?
Sample requirements are based on population. Updated census data received in 2015 showed Flint's population
dropped below 100,000.
3. Were the same houses tested in both the first and the second round of water testing by the city?
Not in every case, but that is not an absolute requirement. This program relies on voluntary participation by
residents. The city sent 200 sample bottles to residents with lead service lines (requirement for eligibility) in
January 2015, and got 60 samples back by June. Participation has historically been a well-documented
challenge in Flint.
4. Why were two water samples in the second round of water testing?
xxxEND_PAGE:deq15_b230_0659_0660_1
I'll presume you meant to say why were two samples dropped from the count? Eligibility. The lead and copper
tule requires the system operator to get samples from homes with lead service lines. No businesses. No homes
with filters. And participants have to follow a specific screening protocol. When those things don't happen, the
samples unfortunately must be dropped from the results.
5. Does the MDEQ have any official comment about the safety of drinking water in the City of
Flint, particularly in terms of lead levels, at this time?
The city, the state and the U.S. EPA are taking necessary steps to address lead concerns in Flint. Free lead filters for all
flint residents are a precautionary step to ensure public health while we look more closely at exposure concerns.
Flint residents who have concerns about lead exposure should take advantage of free water testing and blood
lead level testing for children.
Best,
Azure Gilman
@aljazeerane
310.493.9657
Bed ondy fet
bared
xxxEND_PAGE:deq15_b230_0659_0660_2
Hello,
My name is Azure Gilman, and I’m a digital reporter from Al Jazeera America. I have a few questions about the
water in Flint, Michigan.
1. LeeAnne Walters says that when the water in her house was tested by the city and the MDEQ
found to have high lead levels, city officials consistently said that her house was an exception, and
that this was not a widespread problem. Can you comment on this?
2. Why did the MDEQ lower the total number of water samples required for Flint to test from 100 to
60?
3. Were the same houses tested in both the first and the second round of water testing by the city?
4. Why were two water samples in the second round of water testing?
5. Does the MDEQ have any official comment about the safety of drinking water in the City of
Flint, particularly in terms of lead levels, at this time?
Best,
Azure Gilman
azure giiman@alazeera net
310.493.9657
xxxEND_PAGE:deq14_b0640_2061_2061_1