Greetings,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the City of Flint, is recommending Flint residents run the water in their homes and businesses to aid in the recovery of the Flint drinking water system.
“Flush for Flint” is intended to address particulate lead and to help distribute orthophosphate, the corrosion control chemical that builds a protective coating in pipes and protects against lead exposure. Allowing the water to run flushes loose particles of lead from service lines and from the pipes in homes. Data from EPA, MDEQ and Virginia Tech indicates these particles are a significant factor in Flint homes where water samples have shown very high lead concentrations. “Flush for Flint” is only one step in the process of restoring the Flint water system. Lead line replacement remains the long-term goal.
The following steps are recommended for residents to flush out particles:
Step 1: Run cold water at the highest flow in the bathtub for 5 minutes. Do not use the showerhead because it has a lower flow rate.
Step 2: Bypass or remove your filter, then run cold water at the highest flow from the kitchen faucet for 5 minutes. Remember to turn your filter back on or reinstall it when done. EPA testing has shown filters are effective at removing even very high levels of lead.
Step 3: Do this every day for 14 days.
Attached you will find English and Spanish-language fliers about the program. Feel free to share this information with your network and also via social media channels e.g. Facebook/Twitter.
For more information on EPA’s role in the Flint Drinking Water Response, visit epa.gov/flint or call (810) 434-5122.
Thank you in advance for your help and great support.
All the best,
Faith A. Rogers
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Flint Flush Letter (PDF)
Fact Sheet (PDF)
Fact Sheet in Spanish (PDF)
