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Attached is a summary of the interview | had with Flint NBC 25 News late yesterday.....sorry this summary is late as | am receiving incoming calls from Flint residents... Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b01_001_057_12 Flint NBC 25 News Interview Flint TTHMs January 5, 2015 Walter-Smith Randolth, reporter, from Flint NBC 25 News conducted a telephone interview with me for broadcast on Flint local television concerning the TTHM violation in Flint’s drinking water. I led the interview and provided Mr. Randolth an opportunity for follow-up questions. Below is a summary of topics that were presented. TTHM violation — What does this mean for Flint residents? The TTHM violation notice to residents is not an immediate public health emergency since the health-effects posted in the notice require long- term exposure to TTHMs (over a significant portion of an individual’s lifespan). TTHMs commonly occur in public water systems that disinfect with chorine due to the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring organic compounds (total organic carbon) in the source water. Surface water sources, including the Flint River watershed, typically have higher levels of naturally occurring organic compounds. What is the DEQ’s Role? The DEQ is working in collaboration with the city to ensure long-term public health protection and to keep the public informed. We are working with the city to help identify improvements in treatment and operation of the distribution system to reduce the levels of TTHMs. We are assisting the city with public notice requirements (when to post/contents). With our assistance, the city has proceeded with an operational evaluation of the water system ahead of state and federal requirements. DEQ’s perspective of the situation: _ The Flint River source is more difficult to treat since it requires more disinfection to maintain bacteriological intergrity. Increased disinfection; however, when combined with higher levels of naturally occurring organics results in elevated levels of TTHMs that form over time out in the distribution system. The TTHM concentrations that developed in the system were more than anticipated due to several reasons: 1. Flint did not immediately change their mode of distribution system operation after switching sources to account for higher TTHM formation potential of treated water from Flint’s WTP. xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b01_001_057_13 T explained that TTHMs require time to form and are not fully developed in the treated water that enters the distribution system from the WTP. Water from Detroit; however, is several days old when it reaches Flint; thus the majority of the TTHMs are developed. TTHMs were also lower given the source water (Lake Huron). Flint’s historically operated the distribution system in a manner that created conditions favorable for stagnation. This methodology of operation was not changed (initially) when switching to the Flint River; thus, this condition was one of several factors contributing to higher levels of TTHMs. Other factors included; higher TTHM formation potential in the Flint River (already explained above) and higher chlorine application rates at treatment plant to maintain bacteriological integrity. I further explained that TTHM levels in the most recent quarter have dropped for two main reasons: 1. Action taken by the city including; improving dist. system operation to reduce stagnation, treatment changes (complete softening), reduced chorination, system flushing, valving improvements 2. Seasonal fluctuation of organic compounds in the Flint River. Less organic loading in the winter months. END of MY DISCUSSION Mr. Smith-Randolf asked for my comment to the following this problem is occurring in Flint? Is there a problem with the water system? This was not an issue when Flint was on Detroit water. I responded by summarizing some of the key points discussed above including: Dist system operation (storage facilities and valving) TTHM formation potential in Flint River vs. Detroit and age of incoming water e High chlorine dosages to maintain bacteriological integrity e Treatment practices at WTP (partial by-pass of softening) xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b01_001_057_14

Date: Monday, October 13, 2014 3:47:46 PM Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me today concerning the GM Engine manufacturing plant in Flint and their intent to temporarily terminate water service from Flint and purchase water from Genesee County (via Flint Twp) until Flint is either treating water from KWA or reducing their chloride concentration from their treated water that meets GM’s limit for manufacturing. Ron asked if elevated chlorides are a health concern in Flint. | looked up Flint’s MOR and noted that the treated water chloride concentration leaving the WTP ranges between 55 and 65 mg/I which, although not optimal (optimal being <20 mg/l), is satisfactory. Concentrations > 250 mg/I become objectionable due to taste & corrosion issues; however, based on the concentration leaving the WTP, we did not have any health-effect concerns. Ron was not able to recall the maximum chloride level acceptable to GM; however, | stressed the importance of not branding Flint’s water as “corrosive”

Date: Monday, October 13, 2014 3:47:45 PM Ron Fonger from the Flint Journal called me today concerning the GM Engine manufacturing plant in Flint and their intent to temporarily terminate water service from Flint and purchase water from Genesee County (via Flint Twp) until Flint is either treating water from KWA or reducing their chloride concentration from their treated water that meets GM’s limit for manufacturing. Ron asked if elevated chlorides are a health concern in Flint. | looked up Flint’s MOR and noted that the treated water chloride concentration leaving the WTP ranges between 55 and 65 mg/l which, although not optimal (optimal being <20 mg/l), is satisfactory. Concentrations > 250 mg/I become objectionable due to taste & corrosion issues; however, based on the concentration leaving the WTP, we did not have any health-effect concerns. Ron was not able to recall the maximum chloride level acceptable to GM; however, | stressed the importance of not branding Flint’s water as “corrosive”

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

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 20" 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. 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 xxxEND_PAGE:deq11_b159_0888_0889_1 Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq11_b159_0888_0889_2