Flint is nearing the end of its massive project to replace lead water service lines. Lead service lines have been replaced at 9,700 homes in the city, and fewer than 500 remain.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Kurt Thiede says the drinking water system in Flint is now “better than it’s ever been. Now, I understand that the end is in sight, and the city is trying to finish the replacement work of the remaining lead service lines by the end of the year.”
Mayor Sheldon Neely told reporters in a press conference Monday that convincing residents that the water is safe remains a challenge. “The technology is saying that we’re better," Neely stated, "but the psychological impact of having poor water quality for a long period of time still exists, so there is still a crisis in confidence, and that’s not going to be resolved overnight.”
Flint received $100-million dollars in grant funding from the EPA and another $20-million from the state of Michigan to replace lead-tainted service lines.
The city and the EPA also announced a new partnership with Flint public schools and Delta College to train students for future jobs with the Flint public water system.
