F Flint Water Crisis Public Archive

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Mike Prysby Veronica Willard

RE: DIROO004 Warner / Water toxins in Flint MI

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Date: Friday, January 09, 2015 5:24:21 PM Mike, You need to draft a response that says pretty much what you say below but in a format (letter) that can be used to provide a response to Ms. Warner from someone probably higher up the chain. | assume Joanne can assist you in identifying the appropriate format. Veronica, Can you tell from the attachment you sent (DIROO004) whose signature Mike should be preparing this response? All | see is the initials “RD.” Will Mike be signing it or will it be someone else? Also, since we did not receive this request until the afternoon of January oth, is it possible we may have a week to respond, making the due date January 16"? Mike has his hands full with all of the demands placed on him by the ongoing issues in Flint. Richard

RE: DIROO004 Warner / Water toxins in Flint MI

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Date: Friday, January 09, 2015 5:24:00 PM Mike, You need to draft a response that says pretty much what you say below but in a format (letter) that can be used to provide a response to Ms. Warner from someone probably higher up the chain. | assume Joanne can assist you in identifying the appropriate format. Veronica, Can you tell from the attachment you sent (DIROO004) whose signature Mike should be preparing this response? All | see is the initials “RD.” Will Mike be signing it or will it be someone else? Also, since we did not receive this request until the afternoon of January oth, is it possible we may have a week to respond, making the due date January 16"? Mike has his hands full with all of the demands placed on him by the ongoing issues in Flint. Richard

RE: DIROQ0004 Warner / Water toxins in Flint MI

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Mike, xxxEND_PAGE:deq16_b5_0892_4900_0010 You need to draft a response that says pretty much what you say below but in a format (letter) that can be used to provide a response to Ms. Warner frorn someone probably higher up the chain. fassurne Joanne can assist you in identifying the appropriate format, Veronica, Can you tell from the attachment you sent (DIRO0004) whose signature Mike should be preparing this response? AH! see is the initials “RD.” WHE Mike be signing it or will it be sorneane else? Also, since we did not receive this request until the afternoon of January 9”, is it possible we may have a week to respond, making the cue cate January 16"? Mike has his hands full with all of the demands placed on him by the ongoing issues in Flint. Richard

RE: DIROO004 Warner / Water toxins in Flint MI

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Date: Friday, January 09, 2015 3:25:03 PM Veronica, | contacted Ms. Patricia Warner and gave her the opportunity to ask me questions and/or voice concerns with the TTHM violation in Flint. Her main complaint, most common complaint across the board, is the high cost of water Flint residents are paying yet receiving water of poor quality. Another concern she voiced was the city’s delay in notifying the public of increased TTHM levels. She and others feel the city should have notified residents last May when high TTHM levels were first detected. | explained to Patricia some of the possible reasons for the increase in water rates included.... improvements needed at the WTP (necessary for full-time operation both for KWA and Flint River operation) and the cost of infrastructure to connect to KWA. The financial commitment to KWA may also be factored into increased costs; however, | stressed that the city needs to work harder at educating the public on why the water rates were increased. With regards to PN requirements, | explained how the TTHM exceedance for Flint is determined (running annual average) and the PN requirement. | stressed that...although the city has met all of the monitoring and PN requirements for this violation, it may be worthwhile for them to convey the status of TTHMs ahead of state and federal reporting deadlines as a means towards regaining public trust. | also provided technical information pertaining to TTHMs and discussed the health-effects in more detail. The duration of the call was a half hour and Patricia seemed satisfied with my response to her questions/concerns. | offered her the opportunity to call me again if she has any further questions. If any further action is needed regarding this inquiry, please let me know. Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer xxxEND_PAGE:deq01_b264_3976_3977_1 003977 Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817

RE: DIROO004 Warner / Water toxins in Flint MI

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Date: Friday, January 09, 2015 3:25:02 PM Veronica, | contacted Ms. Patricia Warner and gave her the opportunity to ask me questions and/or voice concerns with the TTHM violation in Flint. Her main complaint, most common complaint across the board, is the high cost of water Flint residents are paying yet receiving water of poor quality. Another concern she voiced was the city’s delay in notifying the public of increased TTHM levels. She and others feel the city should have notified residents last May when high TTHM levels were first detected. | explained to Patricia some of the possible reasons for the increase in water rates included.... improvements needed at the WTP (necessary for full-time operation both for KWA and Flint River operation) and the cost of infrastructure to connect to KWA. The financial commitment to KWA may also be factored into increased costs; however, | stressed that the city needs to work harder at educating the public on why the water rates were increased. With regards to PN requirements, | explained how the TTHM exceedance for Flint is determined (running annual average) and the PN requirement. | stressed that...although the city has met all of the monitoring and PN requirements for this violation, it may be worthwhile for them to convey the status of TTHMs ahead of state and federal reporting deadlines as a means towards regaining public trust. | also provided technical information pertaining to TTHMs and discussed the health-effects in more detail. The duration of the call was a half hour and Patricia seemed satisfied with my response to her questions/concerns. | offered her the opportunity to call me again if she has any further questions. If any further action is needed regarding this inquiry, please let me know. Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer xxxEND_PAGE:deq03_b363_1898_1899_1 Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817

RE: DIROO004 Warner / Water toxins in Flint MI

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Veronica, i contacted Ms. Patricia Warner and gave her the opportunity to ask me questions and/or voice concerns with the TTHM violation in Flint. Her main complaint, most cormmon complaint across the board, is the high cost of water Flint residents are paying yet receiving water of poor quality. Another concern she voiced was the city’s delay in notifying the public of increased TTHM levels. She and others feel the city should have notified residents last May when high TTHM levels were first detected. i explained to Patricia some of the possible reasons for the increase in water rates included... improvements needed at the WTP (necessary for full-time operation both for KWA and Flint River operation) and the cost of infrastructure to connect to KWA. The financial commitment to KWA may also be factored into increased costs; however, | stressed that the city needs to work harder at educating the public on why the water rates were Increased, With regards to PN requirements, | explained how the TTHM exceedance for Flint is determined (running annual average} and the PN requirement. | stressed that..although the city has met all of the monitoring and PN requirements for this violation, it may be worthwhile for them to convey the status of TTHMs ahead of state and federal reporting deadlines as a means towards regaining public trust. | also provided technical information pertaining to TTHMs and discussed the health-effects in more detail. The duration of the call was a half hour and Patricia seemed satisfied with my response to her questions/concerns. | offered her the opportunity to call me again if she has any further questions. if any further action is needed regarding this inquiry, please let me know. xxxEND_PAGE:deq16_b5_0892_4900_0011 Michael Prysby, PLE. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance S417 290-8817

Meeting w Legislator

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Richard Benzie, Sarah Howes, and | met with State Representatives Sheldon Neeley, 34" District and Phil Phelps, 48" District to discuss the TTHM violation in the city of Flint late yesterday afternoon . Attached is a summary of our discussion. Michael Prysby, P.E. District Engineer Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance 517 290-8817 xxxEND_PAGE:deq21_b058_0196_0197_2

City of Flint BWA follow-up - media inquiry

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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

City of Flint BWA follow-up - media inquiry

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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

City of Flint BWA follow-up - media inquiry

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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

City of Flint BWA Media Inquiry

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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

City of Flint BWA Media Inquiry

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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