Flint water has fallen below federal lead limit

Residents have battled water crisis since 2014

FLINT, Mich. – Michigan environmental officials say Flint's water system no longer has levels of lead exceeding the federal limit.

The finding by the Department of Environmental Quality is good news for a city whose 100,000 residents have grappled with the man-made water crisis since 2014.

Officials told The Associated Press ahead of an official announcement Tuesday that the 90th percentile of lead concentrations in Flint was 12 parts per billion from July through December — below the "action level" of 15 ppb. It was 20 ppb in the prior six-month period.

State officials say Flint's lead levels are now comparable to other U.S. cities, but that residents must still use filters because the ongoing replacement of pipes could spike lead levels in some homes.

Flint's emergency began when officials failed to properly treat lead lines for corrosion.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver issued the following statement:

"It is encouraging that test results from the water samples show great improvement and meet the federal Lead and Copper Rule. However, I want to assure the citizens of Flint that despite this development our efforts to put safeguards in place will continue. The water resource sites located around the city will remain in operation and continue to provide residents with free water filters, replacement cartridges as well as bottled water. We have been assured by MDEQ officials that free water testing will continue and I want parents to know that efforts to monitor the water quality in schools will be ongoing as well.

We are not out of the woods yet. My goal has not changed. All of the lead-tainted pipes in Flint still need to be replaced. We are making progress toward that goal and through my FAST Start program hope to have another 6,000 pipes replaced this year. But we still need help and support from the state and federal government so that all of the estimated 20,000 lead-tainted pipes remaining in the city will be replaced."

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Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.