No end in sight in Flint
After nearly a year, Flint, MI residents are still being advised to use filters when drinking tap water due to the [link url=”http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/09/11/flint-water-improves-details-scarce-how-crisis-can-end/89545656/” title=”ongoing water crisis.”] And the top EPA official who is currently in Flint has no reason to believe that this crisis will end anytime soon.
Mark Durno, deputy chief of the EPA’s emergency response branch told the [link url=”http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/09/11/flint-water-improves-details-scarce-how-crisis-can-end/89545656/” title=”Detroit Free Press”] that he sees filters being used throughout the rest of this year. Other experts believe it may be a minimum of 12 months from now, and another round of testing is scheduled to be conducted in December.
Work still needs to be done in order to find out the number and placement of problematic lines. Experts are still trying to gauge the damage that has been done to the water system, which had corrosive water running through it for 18 months.
What has been done?
A lot of eyes are on the Flint water crisis. In order for the crisis to end Professor Richard Luthy stated, “the drinking water needs to meet current drinking water standards.” Already, at least 2,643,622 cases of bottled water, 135,458 water filters, 296,460 replacement cartridges and 54,117 water testing kits have been distributed.
Recent tests revealed that out of the state’s 162 samples that came from Flint homes, 146 were below 15 parts per billion, which is under the federal Lead and Copper Rule. The federal government has assisted in efforts by absorbing up to 75 percent of the [link url=”http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/08/03/state-says-take-over-flint-when-federal-aid-ends/87997162/” title=”costs associated with the crisis”], while Michigan has assumed the remaining 25 percent.
Building trust with residents
A University of Michigan machine has been used to estimate line materials to help guide the city’s replacement program.
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich acknowledged that it will be tough for residents to trust any water coming out of faucets until all of the pipes are replaced. Also, he feels system upgrades will be vital in ensuring safe water is consumed from this point forward.
Comments are closed.