Correspondence among

Date: Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:20:10 PM Thanks, Steve. Good work! b

Date: Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:16:40 PM | just spoke with Ron Fongers of the Flint Journal. He said he was at a press conference this morning held by the Flint Emergency Manager in which the EM brought in Flint Water System staff to report on the first full month of operation at the City’s Water Treatment Plant. Ron indicated the City stated they were in 100% compliance with the treatment standards. Ron asked me to confirm that this statement was accurate. | stated that the City has been meeting all applicable standards for water quality and treatment operations. Ron asked about the City using lime treatment to soften the water. | explained that when the City was a customer of DWSD, the source of their water was from the Great Lakes which have natural levels of hardness that normally don’t require softening to meet customer expectations. However, the City’s current source of the Flint River has higher levels of hardness and the City is using lime softening to lower the hardness level. | also indicated that this treatment is for aesthetic purposes and goes beyond minimum treatment requirements for public health protection. Ron indicated the City was receiving an increase in complaints from customers and asked whether we had seen a significant increase in complaint calls. | indicated we have received a couple of complaints specific to Flint, but that this is not a significant increase as we receive complaints from customers sporadically for all the water systems we regulate. Ron asked if we were in contact with the City regarding their operations. | stated that we have been in consultation with the City regarding the operation of all of their water facilities, treatment (including softening) and distribution. Ron asked about what monitoring we have reviewed mentioning bacteria and turbidity. | indicated in addition the City has monitored for metals, organics including disinfection byproducts, and other inorganics such as nitrate along with microbial contaminants and applicable operational requirements like turbidity and disinfection. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b292_3620_3620_1

Date: Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:16:39 PM | just spoke with Ron Fongers of the Flint Journal. He said he was at a press conference this morning held by the Flint Emergency Manager in which the EM brought in Flint Water System staff to report on the first full month of operation at the City’s Water Treatment Plant. Ron indicated the City stated they were in 100% compliance with the treatment standards. Ron asked me to confirm that this statement was accurate. | stated that the City has been meeting all applicable standards for water quality and treatment operations. Ron asked about the City using lime treatment to soften the water. | explained that when the City was a customer of DWSD, the source of their water was from the Great Lakes which have natural levels of hardness that normally don’t require softening to meet customer expectations. However, the City’s current source of the Flint River has higher levels of hardness and the City is using lime softening to lower the hardness level. | also indicated that this treatment is for aesthetic purposes and goes beyond minimum treatment requirements for public health protection. Ron indicated the City was receiving an increase in complaints from customers and asked whether we had seen a significant increase in complaint calls. | indicated we have received a couple of complaints specific to Flint, but that this is not a significant increase as we receive complaints from customers sporadically for all the water systems we regulate. Ron asked if we were in contact with the City regarding their operations. | stated that we have been in consultation with the City regarding the operation of all of their water facilities, treatment (including softening) and distribution. Ron asked about what monitoring we have reviewed mentioning bacteria and turbidity. | indicated in addition the City has monitored for metals, organics including disinfection byproducts, and other inorganics such as nitrate along with microbial contaminants and applicable operational requirements like turbidity and disinfection. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b216_3883_3883_1

Date: Monday, April 28, 2014 4:16:02 PM Good job, guys. b

Date: Monday, April 28, 2014 4:16:02 PM Good job, guys. b

On Friday April 25, Mike Prysby and | attended the startup ceremony for the City of Flint Water Treatment Plant. Following the ceremony, | was interviewed by NBC 25 in Flint, CBS 5 Saginaw, and Mlive/Flint Journal. Mike Prysby was interviewed by ABC 12 Flint. Related articles follow: Flint Journal/Mlive httes//www. the vaive on history fhtml htto//Awww mayor dayne wailing em d.bimi ABC 12 htto//www abel 2.com/video?clipid= 100933288 autostart=true httos//wwwe abel 2.corm/video Pclipid=10093 1292 autostart=true Pclipid=10093661 &autostart=true CBS 5 bttoy/f Sautostart=true a ing-own-water-su wuwawnem. com/video Fclinid= 10093409 43227 /flint- Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq12_b126_0574_0574_1

Date: Monday, April 28, 2014 8:55:34 AM On Friday April 25, Mike Prysby and | attended the startup ceremony for the City of Flint Water Treatment Plant. Following the ceremony, | was interviewed by NBC 25 in Flint, CBS 5 Saginaw, and Mlive/Flint Journal. Mike Prysby was interviewed by ABC 12 Flint. Related articles follow: Flint Journal/Mlive mayor _dayne_walling em _d.html = fy BC 12 so be cBs 5 ay Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b296_3626_3626_1

Date: Monday, April 28, 2014 8:55:34 AM On Friday April 25, Mike Prysby and | attended the startup ceremony for the City of Flint Water Treatment Plant. Following the ceremony, | was interviewed by NBC 25 in Flint, CBS 5 Saginaw, and Mlive/Flint Journal. Mike Prysby was interviewed by ABC 12 Flint. Related articles follow: Flint Journal/Mlive mayor _dayne_walling em _d.html = fy BC 12 so be cBs 5 ay Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b220_3889_3889_1

Dorninic adarns, Flint Journal/Miive called this morning with some follow up after last week. He asked about when work would be completed. - findicated he would need to ask the City to see when their contractors would be done WHT the DEQ be back out prior to re-inspect? - {indicated we would, once the City notifies us, but we have not been cantacted yet. What work needs to be done? - Primarily the completion of reconstructing some disinfection equiprnent. (While they are completing other work to soften the water using lime, this is not for public health protection, not a DEQ requirement for treatrnent} When you inspected was the work done wrong and you asked for changes or just not dane? - just not completed yet. Should residents be concerned about this disinfection as part of treating the water? - No. Flint water will be disinfected similar to how Detroit disinfects its water. Does the DEQ need to complete sampling of the water before allowing Flint to start? - ‘The City of Flint has been provided with afl af their monitoring requirements. The City maintains its own jab at the treatrnent plant to monitor water during operation. More complex monitoring which the City is not certified for analysis wil be collected by the City and sent to either the state lab or a private lab for analysis according to the required schedule we have provided thern. Aside from the disinfection is there ather work the City must get done to start the water treatment plant? - Startup of the treatment crocess will take several days te complete and the City has already begun this process. findicated that I’m sure the City of Flint will inform the media when it has started to provide residents with water from its water treatment plant. Stephen Busch, FE. Lansing and Jackson [istrict Superviser Ciffice of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance xxxEND_PAGE:deq12_b133_0593_0594_1 MBEOQ $4 7-43-2314

Date: Monday, April 21, 2014 10:21:50 AM Dominic Adams, Flint Journal/Mlive called this morning with some follow up after last week. He asked about when work would be completed. - lindicated he would need to ask the City to see when their contractors would be done Will the DEQ be back out prior to re-inspect? - | indicated we would, once the City notifies us, but we have not been contacted yet. What work needs to be done? - Primarily the completion of reconstructing some disinfection equipment. (While they are completing other work to soften the water using lime, this is not for public health protection, not a DEQ requirement for treatment) When you inspected was the work done wrong and you asked for changes or just not done? - Just not completed yet. Should residents be concerned about this disinfection as part of treating the water? - No. Flint water will be disinfected similar to how Detroit disinfects its water. Does the DEQ need to complete sampling of the water before allowing Flint to start? - The City of Flint has been provided with all of their monitoring requirements. The City maintains its own lab at the treatment plant to monitor water during operation. More complex monitoring which the City is not certified for analysis will be collected by the City and sent to either the state lab or a private lab for analysis according to the required schedule we have provided them. Aside from the disinfection is there other work the City must get done to start the water treatment plant.? - Startup of the treatment process will take several days to complete and the City has already begun this process. | indicated that I’m sure the City of Flint will inform the media when it has started to provide residents with water from its water treatment plant. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314

Date: Friday, April 18, 2014 5:31:38 PM | was contacted today by the following reporters: - Stephanie Parkinson, NBC news 25 Flint - Kevin Wilson, ABC news 12 Flint - Dominic Adams, Flint Journal/MLive | provided a statement to each late this afternoon that: DEQ staff were in the City of Flint today (4/18) to check on construction progess of work being completed at the Flint water treatment plant. The construction work nearing completion but is not yet complete. The WTP has initialized some of its treatment systems, and this process will take several days to complete. As such the WTP is not yet serving water to residents. Stephanie Parkinson had a few followup questions. - Will the work be completed by Monday? | indicated the City would be best able to answer questions regarding the construction schedule, Monday does not appear likely but they did think construction would be completed by next week. - Has the DEQ completed testing of the City water? The City maintains a lab that conducts most operational testing, and then the City is required to submit their results to the DEQ. - What equipment is still under construction? Disinfection equipment is the main focus of the remaining work. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b297_3627_3627_1

Date: Friday, April 18, 2014 5:31:37 PM | was contacted today by the following reporters: - Stephanie Parkinson, NBC news 25 Flint - Kevin Wilson, ABC news 12 Flint - Dominic Adams, Flint Journal/MLive | provided a statement to each late this afternoon that: DEQ staff were in the City of Flint today (4/18) to check on construction progess of work being completed at the Flint water treatment plant. The construction work nearing completion but is not yet complete. The WTP has initialized some of its treatment systems, and this process will take several days to complete. As such the WTP is not yet serving water to residents. Stephanie Parkinson had a few followup questions. - Will the work be completed by Monday? | indicated the City would be best able to answer questions regarding the construction schedule, Monday does not appear likely but they did think construction would be completed by next week. - Has the DEQ completed testing of the City water? The City maintains a lab that conducts most operational testing, and then the City is required to submit their results to the DEQ. - What equipment is still under construction? Disinfection equipment is the main focus of the remaining work. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b221_3890_3890_1

Date: Friday, March 28, 2014 2:11:02 PM | was contacted by Mr. Walter Smith-Randolph with Channel 25 News in Flint earlier today. He simply had me confirm that: We have not received a permit application form for the construction permits from Flint regarding the WTP. We have received preliminary engineering design plans and specifications which we have commented on and work with the City to address. And that: We have a meeting with the City on Monday to in part discuss the design issues. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b293_3621_3621_1

Date: Friday, March 28, 2014 2:11:02 PM | was contacted by Mr. Walter Smith-Randolph with Channel 25 News in Flint earlier today. He simply had me confirm that: We have not received a permit application form for the construction permits from Flint regarding the WTP. We have received preliminary engineering design plans and specifications which we have commented on and work with the City to address. And that: We have a meeting with the City on Monday to in part discuss the design issues. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b217_3884_3884_1

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014 12:09:01 PM | just had a follow up phone conversation with Mr. Adams, Flint Journal/Mlive. He had been informed by the City that they had provided all construction information to the Department for review. | reiterated to Mr. Adams that we have received preliminary engineering plans and specifications regarding this proposed project that we have provided the City comment on, but that we have not received the construction permit application form, which lays out the scope of the project, some of the entities involved, and other considerations related to the construction site. Mr. Adams again asked for clarification regarding the review process. | indicated that while a permit application of this complexity would normally require 30-45 days for a complete response, since the City has approached us with these preliminary designs allowing us to address most issues prior to their application, it will likely reduce our response time, and that we have a meeting scheduled with the City on Monday that will in part address some of these remaining design issues. However, staff would still need to review the plans and specifications submitted with a permit application to ensure they are complete and this will take some time prior to issuing the permit. Mr. Adams asked about inspection of the project, and | indicated that the applicant identifies who will provide inspection of construction work, usually an engineering consultant, or City staff engineer. Mr. Adams asked whether the DEQ does any inspection. | informed him that for this type of project we will do an inspection prior to startup to ensure that the City will be able to comply with the operating requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Mr. Adams asked about the City proceeding prior to a permit, and | explained that if the City hired a contractor prior for the proposed work prior to obtaining a permit, any revisions to the project for permitting would need to be addressed as part of the contract signed with the construction company. | will let you know if there is any additional follow up from Mr. Adams, but he did not appear to have any additional questions. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b491_4859_4862_1

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014 12:09:00 PM | just had a follow up phone conversation with Mr. Adams, Flint Journal/Mlive. He had been informed by the City that they had provided all construction information to the Department for review. | reiterated to Mr. Adams that we have received preliminary engineering plans and specifications regarding this proposed project that we have provided the City comment on, but that we have not received the construction permit application form, which lays out the scope of the project, some of the entities involved, and other considerations related to the construction site. Mr. Adams again asked for clarification regarding the review process. | indicated that while a permit application of this complexity would normally require 30-45 days for a complete response, since the City has approached us with these preliminary designs allowing us to address most issues prior to their application, it will likely reduce our response time, and that we have a meeting scheduled with the City on Monday that will in part address some of these remaining design issues. However, staff would still need to review the plans and specifications submitted with a permit application to ensure they are complete and this will take some time prior to issuing the permit. Mr. Adams asked about inspection of the project, and | indicated that the applicant identifies who will provide inspection of construction work, usually an engineering consultant, or City staff engineer. Mr. Adams asked whether the DEQ does any inspection. | informed him that for this type of project we will do an inspection prior to startup to ensure that the City will be able to comply with the operating requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Mr. Adams asked about the City proceeding prior to a permit, and | explained that if the City hired a contractor prior for the proposed work prior to obtaining a permit, any revisions to the project for permitting would need to be addressed as part of the contract signed with the construction company. | will let you know if there is any additional follow up from Mr. Adams, but he did not appear to have any additional questions. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b365_4187_4190_1 004188

xxxEND_PAGE:deq21_b160_0527_0529_1 received the email below from Mr. Dominic Adams with Miive and the Flint Journal. called Mr, Adams back and we discussed the following: Process for switching from DY/SD to Flint River Water provided by DWSD is treated. The City’s of Flint’s existing WTP was designed for emergency use of the Flint River in the event of a failure in the DWSB system. So the WTF is already capable of the switchover, they would just close the line fram: DWSD and start pumps from the intake. The DEQ would need to be notified prior to the switchover in source water as there are regulatory requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Failure to meet regulatory requirements would result in violations, and both the City and DEQ, would prefer to prevent that fram occurring if possible. (He asked about fines and f provided a link te the administrative fines information on aur website} $time needed for the Detroit line Other water systems utilize the piseline from Detroit and will continue to do so without interruption, Wihy is the City userading the WEP and what is being done The City WTP is designed for short term ernergency operation, these improvements would give them the ability to better onerate the plant ona contiruious basis. You should be able to obtain the full project scope frarn the City, but it includes additional charnical sterage, modification to the disinfection system, electrical modifications, and pump modifications. How is the DEO involved in the oraject The City is required to obtain construction permits fromm the DEQ Office of Drinking Water ancl Municipal Assistance prigr tu making modifications to its water system. The City has provided preliminary design information ragarding the WTP impravements which we have commented on, but we have not received a formal permit application at this time. {FYI they already held a groundbreaking which was reported) http://www ssf/2014/03/fint residents should be drinbtml How long will a permit take? For a permit of this corplexity, we are normally able to respond to an applicant 30-45 clays after receiving a permit application. Does the D&C have to inspect the system. The DEQ conducts routine inspection visits of public water systems, we conduct at least 4 inspection visits with the City of Flint (its treatment and distribution systems} each year and a full inspection of the system is required once avery 3 years. The last full inspection report was completed in 2013. When the City operates its water treatment plant, they need to conduct daily monitoring anc report those results to the DEQ. So we are constantly reviewing their treatment operations. The City has set a date of April 17 to switchover, is that achievable? { believe this is a tentative date baseci on a one year deaciline set when the contract between Flint and DWSD was terminated. You would need to contact the City regarding their timeline for completing construction work upon aiveining a permit. l indicated it would be good to contact the City about what residents should expect regarding water service whan the change is rnade. {tried to get a better idea from Mr. Adams about his article. He indicated he didn’t feel the City was fully disclosing everything that is involved in completing this changeover. xxxEND_PAGE:deq21_b160_0527_0529_2 PS, Mir. Adams claimed to have my info wrong or dialed a wrong murnber, my voicernail is not full and has been working fine. j provided him with my currerdt info. Sleohen Busch, PE. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municioal Assistance MDEG 547-643-2314

Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 2:16:06 PM | received the email below from Mr. Dominic Adams with Mlive and the Flint Journal. | called Mr. Adams back and we discussed the following: Process for switching from DWSD to Flint River Water provided by DWSD is treated. The City’s of Flint’s existing WTP was designed for emergency use of the Flint River in the event of a failure in the DWSD system. So the WTP is already capable of the switchover, they would just close the line from DWSD and start pumps from the intake. The DEQ would need to be notified prior to the switchover in source water as there are regulatory requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Failure to meet regulatory requirements would result in violations, and both the City and DEQ, would prefer to prevent that

Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 2:16:06 PM | received the email below from Mr. Dominic Adams with Mlive and the Flint Journal. | called Mr. Adams back and we discussed the following: Process for switching from DWSD to Flint River Water provided by DWSD is treated. The City’s of Flint’s existing WTP was designed for emergency use of the Flint River in the event of a failure in the DWSD system. So the WTP is already capable of the switchover, they would just close the line from DWSD and start pumps from the intake. The DEQ would need to be notified prior to the switchover in source water as there are regulatory requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Failure to meet regulatory requirements would result in violations, and both the City and DEQ, would prefer to prevent that