Flint: Lead levels below federal limit, still unsafe to drink

Jan. 26, 2017
Michigan state environmental officials announced lead concentration in water is below federal action limits Tuesday.

LANSING, MI, JANUARY 26, 2017 --Flint's water system no longer has levels of lead exceeding the federal limit, according to Michigan state environmental officials.

In a letter from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to Flint's mayor on Tuesday, 90 percent of lead concentrations in the city's water tested at 12 parts per billion (ppb), below the "action level" of 15 ppb.

Residents in the city are still being told not to drink the water because of ongoing pipe replacement programs.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Heidi Grether said, "This is good news and the result of many partners on the local, county, state and federal levels working together to restore the water quality in the City of Flint. The Flint water system is one of the most monitored systems in the country for lead and copper, and that commitment will remain to ensure residents continue to have access to clean water."

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