EPA Lifts Flint Water Crisis Order as City Meets Safety Standards
In a significant development for Flint, Michigan, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lifted the emergency order imposed in 2016 concerning the city’s drinking water. The decision marks a pivotal moment in Flint’s journey toward safe drinking water after years of dealing with contamination issues.
The crisis began in 2014 when an emergency manager switched Flint’s water source from Detroit’s system to the Flint River, aiming at cost reduction. However, the move resulted in improperly treated water corroding pipes, which led to lead and other contaminants seeping into the water supply.
Over the past decade, Flint’s water has generally met federal lead standards, despite often showing higher levels compared to other Michigan cities. Last year’s tests indicated that lead levels in Flint’s water were around one part per billion, significantly lower than both state and federal thresholds.
Lee Zeldin, the EPA administrator, highlighted the city’s compliance with federal standards as a “major milestone” in a public message. He noted, “The end of this order returns the city of Flint to its regular ongoing obligation to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and its regulations.”
In response to the water crisis, substantial investments have been made to overhaul Flint’s water infrastructure. The city has replaced nearly all of the lead service lines that connect buildings to the main water supply, with estimates indicating that 97% of these lines have been upgraded.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), alongside Flint activists, continues to advocate for ongoing government vigilance regarding Flint’s water quality. Sarah Tallman, Senior Attorney at NRDC, expressed in a statement the expectation that “government at all levels will continue to remain vigilant about Flint’s water quality.”
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