Flint remains under boil filtered water advisory while water main repair continues; City issues additional guidance for residents

Photo by Jacob Capener on Unsplash FLINT, Mich.—A 24-inch water transmission line near the Cedar St. reservoir failed this morning, causing a drop in water pressure throughout the city of Flint. The city of Flint remains under a boil filtered water advisory. City crews have isolated the break and are working to repair...

Flint remains under boil filtered water advisory while water main repair continues; City issues additional guidance for residents
Photo by Jacob Capener on Unsplash
FLINT, Mich.—A 24-inch water transmission line near the Cedar St. reservoir failed this morning, causing a drop in water pressure throughout the city of Flint. The city of Flint remains under a boil filtered water advisory.

City crews have isolated the break and are working to repair the transmission line. When the transmission line repair is complete, the city will remain under a boil filtered water advisory while additional corrective actions—including flushing water mains—and bacterial testing are completed.

It is anticipated these activities will continue through Monday, February 13. When water testing results indicate the corrective actions were effective, the City will lift the boil filtered water advisory.

The City has increased the amount of water it is receiving from both Great Lakes Water Authority and Genesee County Drain Commission to maintain water service throughout the city. However, as work is completed, water pressure levels may continue to fluctuate.

The cause of the break has not yet been identified.

“As the City of Flint continues to upgrade our water infrastructure, we need to keep in mind that the integrity of our infrastructure is uneven,” Department of Public Works Director Mike Brown said.

“Some of it is state of the art, and some of it is very old,” Brown added. “We continue to aggressively pursue funding and resources to upgrade our water infrastructure.”

Both the Cedar St. reservoir and its pump station are scheduled for renovation this year.

Residents should take the following precautions:

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) offers the following guidance for Flint residents to ensure health and safety in the wake of the low-pressure incident:
– Residents should use bottled water or filtered and boiled water for cooking, drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, rinsing foods, and mixing powdered infant formula. When using tap water, bring cold filtered water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
– When city crews flush water mains, it might cause discolored water. If you observe discolored water from your plumbing, call the water department at 810-766-7202. This line is monitored 24/7. If you leave a message after hours, someone will return your call as soon as possible.
– When the boil water advisory is lifted, residents should flush their building plumbing. How to flush your plumbing.
– When the boil water advisory is lifted, residents should clean their faucet aerators. How to clean your aerator.
– When the boil water advisory is lifted, residents should change their water filter cartridge. Free water filter units and replacement cartridges are available for Flint residents at Flint City Hall, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Residents can also pick up free water testing kits at the same location.
– Residents should continue to take appropriate precautions for lead reduction, such as using bottled water or a lead-reducing water filter after the water supply is free of bacteria.
– Harmful bacteria in drinking water can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.