Correspondence among

Wow. Thanks, Mikel

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014 2:43:05 PM Wow. Thanks, Mike! b

Mr. Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me this morning concerning a follow-up meeting with Flint city council yesterday evening and their summary of the most recent localized BWA (rescinded on 9/9/14). The city agrees that there are underlying problems in the water distribution system; however, the following question was asked......Why weren’t these problems being experienced while we were purchasing water from Detroit? Howard Kroft (City Administrator) responded that the difference in the source water (higher temperature in the Flint River) creates a treated water that is not fully stabilized and reduce chlorine residuals in the distribution system. This problem was exasperated further in the distribution system 1 xxxEND_PAGE:deq11_b262_1329_1330_1 due to several transmission main valves being closed causing stagnation and ineffective disinfection. Ron asked if | agreed with Mr. Kroft’s discussion and if there may be a link between the Flint River source water and the problems recently experienced in the distribution system. | agreed, in part, that low chlorine residuals (< 0.1 to trace free) and stagnation is ineffective in maintaining adequate disinfection especially in old tuberculated cast-iron piping that is susceptible to bacteriological growth under low chlorine conditions. Stagnation due to closed valves can worsen these conditions; thus, the city needs to optimize system operation to minimize stagnation. Efforts could include; improve turn-over of water within their existing water storage reservoirs on the west side of town, operate their pumping stations in segregated pressure districts instead of re-circulating water. Also, the water storage reservoirs should be inspected and cleaned (removal of any excessive sediment) as needed. | also agreed with Mr. Kroft’s statement that the Flint River is more difficult source to treat than Lake Huron water. Although higher raw water temperature can accelerate the loss of free chlorine in the distribution system, | also added that treated water from the Flint River water likely has an increased chlorine demand due to higher organic content (typically associated with surface water — river sources). Although an adequate free chlorine residual is being distributed from the WTP, the higher chlorine demand will reduce the free residual over time out in the distribution system — which makes it important to optimize distribution system operation. | also informed Ron that that there has be no further BWAs since last Tuesday nor evidence of contamination in the Flint distribution system. Also, free chlorine residuals have increased in the BWA area based on our most recent discussion with Flint water utility operators. Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq11_b262_1329_1330_2

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014 2:07:40 PM Mr. Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me this morning concerning a follow-up meeting with Flint city council yesterday evening and their summary of the most recent localized BWA (rescinded on 9/9/14). The city agrees that there are underlying problems in the water distribution system; however, the following question was asked......Why weren’t these problems being experienced while we were purchasing water from Detroit? Howard Kroft (City Administrator) responded that the difference in the source water (higher temperature in the Flint River) creates a treated water that is not fully stabilized and reduce chlorine residuals in the distribution system. This problem was exasperated further in the distribution system due to several transmission main valves being closed causing stagnation and ineffective disinfection. Ron asked if | agreed with Mr. Kroft’s discussion and if there may be a link between the Flint River source water and the problems recently experienced in the distribution system. | agreed, in part, that low chlorine residuals (< 0.1 to trace free) and stagnation is ineffective in maintaining adequate disinfection especially in old tuberculated cast-iron piping that is susceptible to bacteriological growth under low chlorine conditions. Stagnation due to closed valves can worsen these conditions; thus, the city needs to optimize system operation to minimize stagnation. Efforts could include; improve turn-over of water within their existing water storage reservoirs on the west side of town, operate their pumping stations in segregated pressure districts instead of re-circulating water. Also, the water storage reservoirs should be inspected and cleaned (removal of any excessive sediment) as needed. | also agreed with Mr. Kroft’s statement that the Flint River is more difficult source to treat than Lake Huron water. Although higher raw water temperature can accelerate the loss of free chlorine in the distribution system, | also added that treated water from the Flint River water likely has an increased chlorine demand due to higher organic content (typically associated xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b036_1888_1889_1 with surface water — river sources). Although an adequate free chlorine residual is being distributed from the WTP, the higher chlorine demand will reduce the free residual over time out in the distribution system — which makes it important to optimize distribution system operation. | also informed Ron that that there has be no further BWAs since last Tuesday nor evidence of contamination in the Flint distribution system. Also, free chlorine residuals have increased in the BWA area based on our most recent discussion with Flint water utility operators. Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b036_1888_1889_2

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014 2:07:39 PM Mr. Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me this morning concerning a follow-up meeting with Flint city council yesterday evening and their summary of the most recent localized BWA (rescinded on 9/9/14). The city agrees that there are underlying problems in the water distribution system; however, the following question was asked......Why weren’t these problems being experienced while we were purchasing water from Detroit? Howard Kroft (City Administrator) responded that the difference in the source water (higher temperature in the Flint River) creates a treated water that is not fully stabilized and reduce chlorine residuals in the distribution system. This problem was exasperated further in the distribution system due to several transmission main valves being closed causing stagnation and ineffective disinfection. Ron asked if | agreed with Mr. Kroft’s discussion and if there may be a link between the Flint River source water and the problems recently experienced in the distribution system. | agreed, in part, that low chlorine residuals (< 0.1 to trace free) and stagnation is ineffective in maintaining adequate disinfection especially in old tuberculated cast-iron piping that is susceptible to bacteriological growth under low chlorine conditions. Stagnation due to closed valves can worsen these conditions; thus, the city needs to optimize system operation to minimize stagnation. Efforts could include; improve turn-over of water within their existing water storage reservoirs on the west side of town, operate their pumping stations in segregated pressure districts instead of re-circulating water. Also, the water storage reservoirs should be inspected and cleaned (removal of any excessive sediment) as needed. | also agreed with Mr. Kroft’s statement that the Flint River is more difficult source to treat than Lake Huron water. Although higher raw water temperature can accelerate the loss of free chlorine in the distribution system, | also added that treated water from the Flint River water likely has an increased chlorine demand due to higher organic content (typically associated xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b031_1841_1842_1 001842 with surface water — river sources). Although an adequate free chlorine residual is being distributed from the WTP, the higher chlorine demand will reduce the free residual over time out in the distribution system — which makes it important to optimize distribution system operation. | also informed Ron that that there has be no further BWAs since last Tuesday nor evidence of contamination in the Flint distribution system. Also, free chlorine residuals have increased in the BWA area based on our most recent discussion with Flint water utility operators. Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b031_1841_1842_2

Date: Monday, September 08, 2014 10:00:10 AM Mr. Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me this morning concerning the BWA issued for the western portion of the Flint water distribution system. | confirmed Ron’s statement that the advisory was issued on Friday Sept 5" for a localized area and was expanded on Sat Sept 6" after samples from an additional routine sampling location tested positive for total coliform bacteria. | confirmed with Ron that none of the samples detected fecal coliform. Ron asked if there was a cause to the most recent contamination. | responded that the city has not identified a specific cause; however, (as | discussed with Ron in the August 20th inquiry - first BWA episode in Flint), potential causes including mainbreaks, unprotected cross connections, unauthorized connections, loss of pressure, etc. will need to be investigated by the city. Low chlorine residuals in this area may also be a contributing factor and could be the result of localized stagnation. The city will need to review distribution system operation, determine whether stagnation is occurring, and modify operation as needed to alleviate this problem. Next, Ron asked if the problem was attributed to the Flint WTP treating water from the Flint River. | informed Ron that treated water from the WTP continues to meet the drinking water standard for total and fecal coliform bacteria and that there have been no detects for these contaminants leaving the WTP. Ron also acknowledged that there has been significant water loss from the water system and asked if that could be a potential cause. | explained to Ron that the loss of water of the magnitude that Flint has been experiencing points to large mainbreaks. Some of these breaks have been repaired; however, the work involved in repairing a broken watermain may or may not introduce contamination into the water system. Critical factors include the extent of the area that may have been taken out of service to complete the repair, how well the trench area is kept clean and de-watered, chlorination at the site, and flushing after the repair. Repair records needs to be reviewed to determine if any major repairs were recently completed in or near the affected area. xxxEND_PAGE:deq03_b022_0027_0028_1 Ron’s last question pertained to the number of BWAs issued on a state-wide basis. | did not have that information available to Ron; however, upon further discussion with Steve, | will provide Ron with a history of total coliform MCL violations (state-wide basis) as soon as | have the information available. We do Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq03_b022_0027_0028_2

Date: Monday, September 08, 2014 10:00:09 AM Mr. Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me this morning concerning the BWA issued for the western portion of the Flint water distribution system. | confirmed Ron’s statement that the advisory was issued on Friday Sept 5" for a localized area and was expanded on Sat Sept 6" after samples from an additional routine sampling location tested positive for total coliform bacteria. | confirmed with Ron that none of the samples detected fecal coliform. Ron asked if there was a cause to the most recent contamination. | responded that the city has not identified a specific cause; however, (as | discussed with Ron in the August 20th inquiry - first BWA episode in Flint), potential causes including mainbreaks, unprotected cross connections, unauthorized connections, loss of pressure, etc. will need to be investigated by the city. Low chlorine residuals in this area may also be a contributing factor and could be the result of localized stagnation. The city will need to review distribution system operation, determine whether stagnation is occurring, and modify operation as needed to alleviate this problem. Next, Ron asked if the problem was attributed to the Flint WTP treating water from the Flint River. | informed Ron that treated water from the WTP continues to meet the drinking water standard for total and fecal coliform bacteria and that there have been no detects for these contaminants leaving the WTP. Ron also acknowledged that there has been significant water loss from the water system and asked if that could be a potential cause. | explained to Ron that the loss of water of the magnitude that Flint has been experiencing points to large mainbreaks. Some of these breaks have been repaired; however, the work involved in repairing a broken watermain may or may not introduce contamination into the water system. Critical factors include the extent of the area that may have been taken out of service to complete the repair, how well the trench area is kept clean and de-watered, chlorination at the site, and flushing after the repair. Repair records needs to be reviewed to determine if any major repairs were recently completed in or near the affected area. xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b032_1843_1844_1 001844 Ron’s last question pertained to the number of BWAs issued on a state-wide basis. | did not have that information available to Ron; however, upon further discussion with Steve, | will provide Ron with a history of total coliform MCL violations (state-wide basis) as soon as | have the information available. We do Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b032_1843_1844_2

FYI. The KWA bonds are tentatively set. http://www. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314 xxxEND_PAGE:deq12_b111_0534_0535_2

The Director asked me about this about a week and a half ago during our drive to Monroe, and | briefly discussed it with Dave Jansen at the AWWA Section Meeting last week. The issue may be moot by October as the County likely needs to bond prior to then. Dave indicated another community had bonded with a rate around 5.2% and if the county could get something similar they will probably move forward. Dave indicated that he previously had discussions about DWRF funding with Jeff Wright, indicating to him that it is not a viable option, particularly given the time constraints for construction. | will keep myself available to participate in whatever meeting gets setup. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314

Date: Tuesday, July 09, 2013 9:00:48 AM FYI. Published article linked below. Stephen Busch, P.E. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance MDEQ 517-643-2314

Date: Monday, July 08, 2013 11:20:03 AM | received a call this morning (July 8) from Dominic Adams, Flint Journal/Mlive. | called him back with Mike Prysby, District Engineer sitting in on the call. Mr. Adams had obtained information that the City of Flint was contracting some engineering work for the Flint WTP, and the work was in part to potentially use the Flint River as a primary drinking water source. | informed Mr. Adams that the City of Flint receives treated water from DWSD and has been since the 1960’s, but has had the WTP available for reliability should the single transmission line system