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Gov. Snyder emails regarding Flint, MI

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  1.  
  2. RICK SNYDER
  3. GOVERNOR
  4. STATE OF MTCHTGAN
  5. EXECUTIVE OFFICE
  6. LANSTNG
  7. BRIAN CALLEY
  8. LT. GOVERNOR
  9. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I am releasing my emails related to
  10. Flint from 2014 and 2015.
  11. The Flint water crisis is an extraordinary circumstance and therefore I'm taking this
  12. unprecedented step of releasing my emails to ensure that the people of Michigan know
  13. the truth.
  14. I am committed to solving this crisis and look forward to working with all Michiganders
  15. to help the residents of Flint.
  16. Date: _.......:. t+/: __, Z=-- 6-Fft .......:. l-= 6 ___ _
  17. I
  18.  
  19. Governor
  20. Maintenance of Privilege
  21. • One document, an email from January 3, 2014, has been produced in a redacted
  22. format because it contains privileged attorney-client communications about the
  23. matter of Welch v Brown, Case No. 13-1476 (6th Circuit, 2014), a matter not
  24. related to the Flint water situation.
  25. • The release of these documents is not a waiver by the Governor or the Executive
  26. Office of the attorney-client privilege, the executive privilege, the deliberative
  27. process privilege, or any other legal privilege.
  28. • These documents do not, are not intended to, and cannot be relied upon to,
  29. create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by any external
  30. party.
  31. Date: __J__ / __
  32.    
  33. James Redford
  34. Legal Counsel to Governor Snyder
  35. GEORGE W. ROMNEY BUILDING • 111 SOUTH CAPITOL AVENUE • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909
  36. www.michigan.gov
  37. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  38. From:
  39. Sent:
  40. To:
  41. Cc:
  42. Subject:
  43. Attachments:
  44. Importance:
  45. Gadola, Michael (GOV)
  46. Friday, Janual)l 03, 2014 2:21 PM
  47. Snyder, Rick (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Roberts, John (GOV); Wurfel, Sara (GOV)
  48. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  49. FW: 13-1476 John Welch, et al v. Michael Brown, et al "signed opinion filed" (2:12-
  50. cv-13808)
  51. 201401030930.pdf; Welch Amicus Brief.pdf
  52. High
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  124. 3
  125. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  126. From:
  127. Sent:
  128. To:
  129. Subject:
  130. FYI
  131. Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  132. Wednesday, January 15, 2014 5:11 PM
  133. Snyder, Rick (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Baird, Richard (GOV); Wurfel, Sara (GOV);
  134. Agen, Jarrod (GOV); Mcbride, Bill (GOV); Larkin, Brian (GOV)
  135. FYI: Flint SC2
  136. OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO ANNOUNCE SEVEN ADDITIONAL CITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE STRONG CITIES,
  137. STRONG COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE
  138. WASHINGTON- Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. (EDT).
  139. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and White House
  140. Domestic Policy Council (DPC) Director Cecilia Munoz will host a media call to announce the expansion of the
  141. Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative (SC2) to seven new cities on 1-16-14. As part of the Obama
  142. Administration's commitment to help cities recover from the economic recession, the seven new locations will
  143. receive technical advice and expertise from federal inter-agency teams. Beginning in January 2014, SC2 teams
  144. will engage in the following locations: St. Louis, MO; Gary, IN; Flint, Ml; Brownsville, TX; Rockford, IL; Macon,
  145. GA; and Rocky Mount, NC.
  146. The primary goal of the SC2 Teams is to help these cities more effectively invest existing resources, provide
  147. advice and expertise in support of local priorities, better align federal programs and investments, and facilitate
  148. new partnerships and peer learning opportunities.
  149. Best,
  150. Harvey
  151. 1
  152. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  153. From:
  154. Sent:
  155. To:
  156. Cc:
  157. Subject:
  158. Attachments:
  159. Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  160. Friday, January 24, 2014 5:33 PM
  161. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  162. Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Etue, Kriste (MSP); Roberts, John (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth
  163. (GOV)
  164. RE: Followup to Flint Meeting on Public Safety
  165. Flint Request Ltr 012414.pdf
  166. I am having email, not sure if these are going through, but the last one was sent without the attachment, please note
  167. the attachment in this communication.
  168. From: Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  169. Sent: Friday, January 24 2014 5:29PM
  170. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  171. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Etue, Kriste (MSP); Roberts, John (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV)
  172. Subject: Followup to Flint Meeting on Public Safety
  173. Governor,
  174. During the discussion on public safety in Flint on December 16, 2013, you asked the group to come together and present
  175. you with an ask that would enhance Flint's initiatives on public safety. Attached is a letter in response to your request.
  176. Best,
  177. Harvey
  178. 1
  179. From: Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  180. Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 5:33PM
  181. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  182. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored mlchigan.gov>; Etue, l<riste (MSP) <EtueK@michigan.gov>; Roberts, John
  183. (GOV) <robertsj9@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>
  184. Subject: RE: Followup to Flint Meeting on Public Safety
  185. I am having email, not sure if these are going through, but the last one was sent without the attachment, please note
  186. the attachment in this communication.
  187. From: Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  188. Sent: Friday, January 2014 5:29PM
  189. To: Snyder, Rick (
  190. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis John (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV)
  191. Subject: Followup to Flint Meeting on Public Safety
  192. Governor,
  193. During the discussion on public safety in Flint on December 16, 2013, you asked the group to come together and present
  194. you with. an ask that would enhance Flint's initiatives on public safety. Attached is a letter in response to your request.
  195. Best,
  196. Harvey
  197. 1
  198. C][TY OJF JFLINT
  199. OFFICE OF THE EMERGENCY A1ANAG.ER
  200. .Dante)] Earley, ICMA-CM, MJ>A
  201. Emergency Manager
  202. January 24,2014
  203. Mr. Harvey Hollins
  204. Office of the Governor
  205. Mr. Hollins:
  206. You asked that the City of Flint respond to the Governor's offer to the City ofFlint and Genesee County to make
  207. an "ask" on behalf of public safety initiatives. These· were to be strategies/ initiatives which were unfunded and
  208. which could penetrate the public consciousness.
  209. We are presenting for the consideration three st.rat.egies/initiatives which fit these criteria:
  210. 1) Operation Fresh Start Regional Operation
  211. B,t;mefit/Tnist Building Initiative
  212. Request: $250,000/yr
  213. 2) Area Clime Team- A.C.T.
  214. This is· a Crime Reduction Strategy
  215. Request: $L02 mi1lionlyr
  216. 3) Lifeline Regional Crime Intervention Strategy
  217. This is Clime Prevention Strategy
  218. Request: $877,000/yr
  219. . Together, these tluee proposals would cost $2,147,000 per year.
  220. In order for each of these activities to have lasting impact it will be necessary to receive funding to allow three
  221. continuous years of operation.
  222. This priority order is the view of the City ofFJint and we understand that these strategies/initiatives need to be
  223. reviewed and supported by the community members who participated in the Gove1'nor's Public Safety visit in
  224. December 2013.
  225. We appreciate the Govemor's continued support as we work to improve public safety conditions in the City of
  226. Flint and Genesee County.
  227. Sincerely, £/JA--.
  228.  
  229. Darnell Earley, IGI\{A-CM, MPA
  230. Manager
  231. Attachments: Project details (3)
  232. City of Flint o 1101 S. Saginan· Street o Flint, Michiga:n 48502
  233. www.cityofflint.com o (810) 766-7346 o Fax: (810) 766-7218
  234. Opel'ation Fresh Start Regional Operatio11;
  235. Infl·oduction;
  236. Flint Lifelines and the City of Flint Police Department would like to propose Operation Fresh Start.
  237. This is a collaborative initiative with the purpose of assisting City of FHnt residents, and the surrounding
  238. suburbs who through various reasons, have found themselves in an untenable situation where they are
  239. include9 in the population of individuals who have active arrest warrants.
  240. There are approximately 40,000 warrants countywide and 23,000 in the City of the Flint; the majority of
  241. warrants are misdemeanor warrants, victimless crimes, or civil infractions.
  242. The failure to addl'ess these violatio11s has resulted in wanants being issued and driver responsibility
  243. fines being levied. These wan·ants affect an individual's ability to become employed and their ability to
  244. seek     and to provide financially for their families. Given these pressures, there is a high
  245. probability tl.fat criminal conduct can occur.
  246. Purpose of Operation Fresh Start; .
  247. Operation Fresh Start is a means to address and eliminate these barriers and provide a starting point for
  248. individuals to improve their ability to become better citizens.
  249. Operation Fresh Start will include the following agencies as stal{eholders:
  250. 1. Flint Lifelines
  251. 2. Flint Police Department .
  252. 3. 68
  253. 1
  254. h District Court/ 6i
  255. 11
  256. District Comt
  257. 4. Secretary of State ·
  258. 5. City Prosecutor's office
  259. 6. County Prosecutor's office
  260. 7. · Ecmnenical conununity
  261. 8. Business community
  262. 9. Health Coalition
  263. 10. Dept. of Health and Human Services
  264. 11. Mental Health services
  265. 12. Educational
  266. 13. Genesee County Landbank
  267. 14. Genesee Count-y ShedffDepartment
  268. Operation Fl·esh Start Implementation;
  269. Operation Fresh statt will focus on individuals with misdemeanor warrants punishable by less than 90
  270. days & less than a $500.00 fine.
  271. The operation will be based on targeting one ( 1) zip code at a time in the City of Flint( County of
  272. Genesee, on a specified day, and partnering with a faith based institution as a base of operation
  273. the specified zip code. This scenario will repeat itself until each zip code has .hosted the operation.
  274. Persons within the zip code will come to the location and interact with the appropriate City, County or
  275. State representatives to recall warrants, adjudicate civ.il .infractions, and settle fines and fees and apply
  276. for or receive a valid state license. Additionally, community service organizations will be present to
  277. offer assistance if services are needed. ·
  278. The synergy of Lifelines and Operation Fresh Start will compliment each other and allow for sustainable
  279. solutions to 1he community of Flint and the cotmty of Genesee.
  280. Personnel and Cost: (projected 8 hour day)
  281. Position
  282. (1) Flint PD Sergeant (site supv)
  283. ( 4) Flint PD Officer (site  
  284. (2) Genesee County D/Sheriff (site secmlty)
  285. (2) Genesee County D/Sheriff (Work force)
  286. (will deploy 20 hours per week for 52 weeks*)
  287. (2) Michigan State Troopers
  288. Lifeline (Media, Flyers etc ... )
  289. I.T. (Equipment & services)
  290. 67th Districf Court cost (Judges, admin staff etc ... )
  291. 68th District Court cost (Judges, ad min staff etc ... )
  292. Michigan Department of Secretary of State
  293. -Mobile Office
  294.  
  295. Estimated Total.
  296. Challenges to overcome prior to implementation:,
  297. $250,000.00
  298. 1. 67'h Distdct court entanglements (Ward Chapman)
  299. 2. GCACP input (ChiefTolbmt)
  300. 3. Video Conferencing from site to comi (Chief Tolbert) .
  301. 4. Homs of operation (when can the judges do this?) (67
  302. 1
  303. h/68tll Dish·ict Court Judges)
  304. 5. Will any other jurisdiction want their judges to hear their cases
  305. * Depending on number of individuals electing to conduct community service in lieu of payment of
  306. fines.
  307. The City of Flint Police Departrrient
  308. Crime Reduction Strategy
  309. Area Crime Team I A. C. T.
  310. The City of Flint Police Department is actively pursuing all relevant strategies in an effort to
  311. truly address crime and criminal behavior at their root cause and locations. Gone are the days
  312. of reactionary policing, we must be proactive in our approach. IdentifYing criminal trends
  313. through analysis and addressing them head on is our focus under this initiative.
  314. The leadership of the City of Flint realizes that a complete law enforcement response relies
  315. upon a combination of a ttue data driven approach and boots on the ground efforts. This type
  316. of response shall allow for the realization of a true and sustainable reduction in all crimes
  317. within the City of Flint. This reduction in crime shall allow fol' the recaptudng of
  318. neighborhoods by our concerned residents, the strengthening of community police partnerships
  319. and raised awareness and unity the common goal of safer neighborhoods through
  320. lasting crime reduction.
  321. The City of Flint is proposing to assemble and utilize an Area Crime Team (A.C.T.). This
  322. highly trained and specialized unit shall deploy resources into very specific locations to address
  323. specific high crime targets. This can be exclusive to a singular target such as a known
  324. homicide suspect or a specific target of general crimes and trends such as gang behavior or
  325. other part one crimes elevated .in data identified specific areas.
  326. This initiative shall hire additional police resources to accomplish this targeted offensive in a
  327. collaborative effort. While the City of Flint shall be the lead agency and coordinator of this
  328. program, we shall form pru.tnerships under this initiative with the Michigan State Police, the
  329. Genesee County Sheriff's Depru.tment, the Michigan Department of Corrections and the
  330. Genesee County Prosecutor's office. Each agency shall play a vital role towards oul' goal of
  331. hue crime reduction. Tlll'ougll the hiring of additional resources for each agency, we also shall
  332. receive the ancillru.y benefit of each agency and all of their existing resources when applicable.
  333. Leveraging these agencies shall also allow for follow up within the entire Genesee County area
  334. when necessary through investigation and leads.
  335. We propose to hire one Flint Police Sergeant and three Flint Police Officers, two Michigan
  336. State Police Troopers, one Genesee Cow1ty Sheriff Deputy, one MDOC employee and one
  337. Genesee County Deputy Prosecutor. This program will be operational for a three year period.
  338. We envision that this team of officers shall become a spearhead to address major offenders and
  339. trends with significant results. They shall work as a team and gain influence with the
  340. community through their transparency and ability to work closely with community partners.
  341. This team shall have   focus and target extremely specific crimes and locations based on
  342. Flint Police gathered crime data as analyzed by the Michigan State Police. Once a crime or
  343. area has been identified, this unit shall saturate the determined area with a goal of total
  344. dismption to the offending behavior. The officers shall perform the initial response,
  345. investigations and arrest ofthe perpetrators with the assistance of the MDOC resource. The
  346. prosecuting attorney shall have oversight of all cases involving tills unit to ensUl'e ve11ical
  347. prosecution. Additionally, a victim's assistance will facilitate victim services for
  348. individuals victimized by crime in the targeted area. (Dependent on grant award)
  349. The cost ofthis effort shall be.primarily wage and fringe of these mission dedicated officers
  350. and staff. Their very existence shall be grant funded, and by design they will be deployed
  351. exclusively towards the goal of this program.
  352. We request the following items to be funded for 1his program:
  353. Position   and Fr!ne;e 1 Year Cost 3 Year Total
  354. One (1) Flint Police Sergeant: $109,271.27 x 1 x 3yrs $109,271.27 $327,813.81
  355. Three (3) Flint Police Officers: $100,979.82 X 3 X 3y:rs $302,939.46 $908,818.38
  356. One (1) Genesee County Deputy: $100,000.00 x. 1 x 3yrs $100,000.00 $300,000.00
  357. Two (2) Michigan State Troopers: $64,435.00 x 2 x 3yrs $128,870.00 $386,610.00
  358. (Wage Only - Fringe notlnclndBd)
  359. One (1) MDOC agent: $106,303 x.l x. 3yis $106,303.00 $318,909.00
  360. One (1) Genesee County Prosecutor: · $162,000.00 x. 1 x 3yrs $162,000.00 $486,000.00
  361. One (1) crime analyst: $45,000.00x 1 x 3yrs $45,000.00 $135,000.00
  362. Sub-Total $954,383.73 $'2,863, 151.19
  363. An-ticipated G1·antMatch
  364. Victim Assistance Program $60,000 x 3yrs $60,000.00 $180,000.00
  365. Total Cost $1,014,383.73 $3,043,151.19
  366. Lifeline Regional Crime Intel'Vention Strategy
  367. The City Flint is in a vety advantageous position to enhance om· conununity engagement
  368. program named Lifeline, this program is similar to the Cease Fire yo-qth violence reduction
  369. program model.
  370. This program model contains almost all of the elements of the Cease Fire model, and the
  371. community-based research, networking and consensus-building process this program model has
  372. proved in cities across the United States and in Califomia (e.g., Stockton, with
  373. implementation also underway in Oaldand and Francisco) and consists offive (5) basic
  374. elements:
  375. 1. Crime data collection and analysis l'elated to gun violence) including the
  376. geographic location of violent incidents, demographic information on individuals
  377. invohred in gun violence, and patterns of gang violence. The Flint Police Depa1tment and
  378. has this data, but needs additional resources to analyze and present it in formats useful to staff
  379. and the community.
  380. 2. Organization of a worldng group to design and implement the local Strategy.
  381. Flint has already started doing this, and must expand its current efforts to include
  382. employment training and placement providers, community and faith leaders and the
  383. Genesee County Sheriffs Deprutment (we already have the other listed parties actively
  384. engaged in the process).
  385. 3. Direct communication with gang members and youth most likely to commit gun
  386. violence. This element features community outreach and community meeting to
  387. commUnicate directly to those most involved in youth violence. Meeting attendees are
  388. given a two-prut message: a) gtm violence must stop inlinediately or criminal justice
  389. agencies will inte1vene quickly and forcefully against those responsible; and b) the
  390. working group is there to suppmt the gang members and youth with intensive services
  391. and employment. This phase will come once the program is implemented.
  392. 4. Employment opporhmities. Meaningful employment oppornmities are provided to
  393. gang members and youth participating in the program, with coW1seling, training and
  394. educational resources and programs used to prepare the youth for successful
  395. employment. Experience across the country shows that the universe of youth requiring
  396. these services is expanding rapidly. ·
  397. 5. Build a strategic law enforcement partnership. An effective strategic partnership
  398. with local law enforcement, county law enforcement and county probation is essential
  399. for long-term success. Law enforcement is encouraged to tru·get resources to the small
  400. group of youth who "drive" youth violence, providing not only gang suppression, but
  401. also pl'oviding an incentive for youth to pruticipate in gang diversion pl'ograms.
  402. Ancillary coordinating issues:
  403. Collabontion with other local agencies when needed: such as school districts, existing county
  404. juvenile justice coordinating committees, law enforcement agencies (city police, county sheriff,
  405. county probation, and district attorney), and community based organizations.
  406. Collaboration with a nsearch Major University, as a Research Partner to collect and analyze
  407. metrics.
  408. Form a Cootdinating and Advisory Council with members from all of the local agencies noted
  409. above, whose primary functions will include prioritizing the use funds.
  410. Personnel/Budget:
  411. Position Wage and Fringe 1 Year Cost Total
  412. One (1) Flint Police Sergeant: $109,271.27 x 1 x 3yrs $109,271.27 $327,813.81
  413. Two (2) Flint Police Officers: $100,979.82 x 2 x 3yrs $201,959.64 $605,878.92
  414. (Violence Prevention Ofcs)
  415. One (1) Genesee Cotmty Deputy: $100,000.00 X 1 X 3yrs $100,000.00 $300,000.00
  416. Two (2) Michigan State Trool?ers:
  417. (Wages Only- Fringes not Included)
  418. .$64,435.00 2 x 3yrs $128,870.00 $386,610.00
  419. One (I) MDOC agent: $106,303 x 1 x 3yrs $106,303.00 $318,909.00
  420. One (1) Genesee Prosecutor: $162,000.00 X 1 X 3 $162,000.00 $486,000.00
  421. One (1) Crime Analyst: . $45,000.00 X 1 X 3yrs $45,000.00 $135,000.00
  422. Total Wages and Fringes $853,403.91 $2,560,211.73
  423. Additional Cost:
  424. Administrative Supplied Detail list available x 3 yrs $3,333.33 $10,000.00
  425. IT Hm'dwal.'e and Software $2,733.33 $8,200.00
  426. .wireless Commtmication Cellular Phones x 3 yrs $2,019.67  
  427. Operational equipment Surv I Equip (one time cost) $15,000.00 $45,000.00
  428. Total Additional Cost $23,086.33 $69,259.00
  429. Total Cost $876,490.24 $2,629,470.73
  430. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  431. From:
  432. Sent:
  433. To:
  434. Subject:
  435. Attachments:
  436. Best,
  437. Harvey Hollins
  438. -----Original message-----
  439. Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  440. Friday, April 25, 2014 4:27 PM
  441. Snyder, Rick (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  442. Fw: PRESS RELEASE: Flint Officially Begins Using River
  443. Fl int.River.Transition.4.25.14.pdf
  444. From: Jason Lorenz <jlorenz@cityofflint.com>
  445. Sent: Fri , Apr 25,2014 20:23:43 GMT+OO:OO
  446. Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Flint Officially Begins Using River
  447. For Immediate Release
  448. City of Flint Officially Begins Using Flint River
  449. as Temporary Primary Water Source
  450. Flint, Michigan- April 25, 2014 - For the first time in fifty years, the City of Flint is using the Flint River- patt
  451. of the Saginaw River watershed-as a primary water source for city residents. Today the valve to the pipeline
  452. from Detroit was closed and the Flint River officially became Flint's water supply. The temporary switchover is
  453. scheduled to support the city' s primary water needs for the next two years while construction of the forthcoming
  454. pipeline from Lake Huron is completed by Kat·egnondi Water Authority. Officials from the City of Flint, the
  455. Genesee County Drain Commission and the Michigan Depattment of Environmental Quality were all on hand to
  456. witness the historic event.
  457. The Flint River was once the primary source of water for city residents up to the 1960s. Over the past 40
  458. years, it has provided water to city residents as a back-up to water provided to us by Detroit. During
  459. 1
  460. our patinership with Detroit, Flint has had to transition to the use of the Flint River for residential water on a few
  461. different occasions, with the most recent temporary switchover happening in 2009. Each temporm·y stint on local
  462. water proved tlu·ee things to city employees and residents alike: That a transition to local river water could be
  463. done seamlessly, and that it was both sensible and safe for us to use our own water as a primary water source in
  464. Flint.
  465. Even with a proven track record of providing perfectly good water for Flint, there still remains lingering
  466. unce1iainty about the quality of the water. In an effort to dispel myths and promote the truth about the Flint
  467. River and its viability as a residential water resource, there have been numerous studies and tests conducted on
  468. its water by several different independent organizations. In addition to what has been found in independent
  469. studies, it is also the responsibility of the City of Flint Water Service Center to continually test the water
  470. provided to city residents. Michael Prysby of the Michigan DEQ Office of Drinking Water verified that "the
  471. quality of the water being put out meets all of our drinking water standards and Flint water is safe to drink."
  472. For nearly 10 years Mike Glasgow has worked in the laboratory at the City ofFlint Water Service Center. He has
  473. run countless tests on our drinking water to ensure its safety for public use. Mike has not only conducted tests on
  474. water provided to us by Detroit, but also on local water from nearby rivers, lakes and streams including the Flint
  475. River. When asked if over the last decade if he has seen any abnormalities of major concern in the water, his
  476. response was an emphatic, "No." In his words, "there has been nothing seen that was of major concern," during
  477. his ongoing tenure working in the lab. "The tests results have shown that our water is not only safe, but of the
  478. high quality that Flint customers have come to expect," announced DPW Director Howard Croft, "we are proud
  479. of the end result. "
  480. Apart from the water plant's devotion to ensunng that our water is good, Flint is doubly blessed in
  481. having the Flint River Watershed Coalition as a separate organization dedicated to monitoring the overall welfare
  482. of local bodies of water, overseeing more than 30 different nearby locations. Rebecca Fedewa has been director
  483. of the watershed coalition since 2008. By vi1iue of her passion for her work and her position on the board, she
  484. is very conversant with the condition of the Flint River. In her words, "The Flint River is increasingly healthy,
  485. and completely suitable as a drinking water source." Fedewa and FRWC are working closely with the city "to
  486. monitor flows and habitats between the intake and the waste water treatment plant to ensure there are minimal to
  487. no impacts to the overall health of the river."
  488. 2
  489. FRWC also invites city residents to be a part of their monitoring exercises during this spring in order "to gain
  490. firsthand knowledge in the health and vitality of our Flint River." Mayor Dayne Walling invited everyone at
  491. today's event to toast to Flint's water. "It's regular, good, pure drinking water, and it's right in our backyard,"
  492. said Mayor Walling, "this is the first step in the right direction for Flint, as we take this monumental step forward
  493. in controlling the future of our community's most precious resource."
  494. -END-
  495. -Jason Lorenz
  496. Public Information Officer
  497. City of Flint
  498. (81 0) 237-2039
  499. jlorenz@cityofflint.com
  500. 3
  501. Darnell Earley
  502. ICMA·CM, MPA
  503. Emergency Manager
  504. For Immediate Release
  505. Dayne Walling
  506. Mayor
  507. Jason Lorenz
  508. Public Information Officer
  509. (81 0) 237-2039
  510. jlorenz@cityofflint.com
  511. City of Flint Officially Begins Using Flint River
  512. as Temporary Primary Water Source
  513. Flint, Michigan - April 25, 2014- For the first time in fifty years, the City of Flint is using
  514. the Flint River- part of the Saginaw River watershed- as a primary water source for
  515. city residents. Today the valve to the pipeline from Detroit was closed and the Flint
  516. River officially became Flint's water supply. The temporary switchover is scheduled to
  517. support the city's primary water needs for the next two years while construction of the
  518. forthcoming pipeline from Lake Huron is completed by Karegnondi Water Authority.
  519. Officials from the City of Flint, the Genesee County Drain Commission and the Michigan
  520. Department of Environmental Quality were all on hand to witness the historic event.
  521. The Flint River was once the primary source of water for city residents up to the
  522. 1960s. Over the past 40 years, it has provided water to city residents as a back-up
  523. to water provided to us by Detroit. During our partnership with Detroit, Flint has had to
  524. transition to the use of the Flint River for residential water on a few different occasions,
  525. with the most recent temporary switchover happening in 2009. Each temporary stint on
  526. local water proved three things to city employees and residents alike: That a transition
  527. to local river water could be done seamlessly, and that it was both sensible and safe for
  528. us to use our own water as a primary water source in Flint.
  529. -CONTINUE-
  530. City Hall
  531. 1101 S. Saginaw Street- Flint, Michigan 48502
  532. 810-766-7346 FAX: 810-766-7218 www.cityoffiint.com
  533. Darnell Earley
  534. ICMA·CM, MPA
  535. Emergency Manager
  536. Dayne Walling
  537. Mayor
  538. Even with a proven track record of providing perfectly good water for Flint,
  539. there still remains lingering uncertainty about the quality of the water. In an effort
  540. to dispel myths and promote the truth about the Flint River and its viability as
  541. a residential water resource, there have been numerous studies and tests conducted on
  542. its water by several different independent organizations. In addition to what has been
  543. found in independent studies, it is also the responsibility of the City of Flint Water
  544. Service Center to continually test the water provided to city residents. Michael Prysby
  545. of the Michigan DEQ Office of Drinking Water verified that "the quality of the water being
  546. put out meets all of our drinking water standards and Flint water is safe to drink."
  547. For nearly 10 years Mike Glasgow has worked in the laboratory at the City of Flint
  548. Water Service Center. He has run countless tests on our drinking water to ensure its
  549. safety for public use. Mike has not only conducted tests on water provided to us by
  550. Detroit, but also on local water from nearby rivers, lakes and streams including the Flint
  551. River. When asked if over the last decade if he has seen any abnormalities of major
  552. concern in the water, his response was an emphatic, "No." In his words, "there has been
  553. nothing seen that was of major concern," during his ongoing tenure working in the lab.
  554. "The tests results have shown that our water is not only safe, but of the high quality that
  555. Flint customers have come to expect," announced DPW Director Howard Croft, "we are
  556. proud of the end result."
  557. Apart from the water plant's devotion to ensuring that our water is good, Flint is doubly
  558. blessed in having the Flint River Watershed Coalition as a separate organization
  559. -CONTINUE-
  560. City Hall
  561. 1101 S. Saginaw Street - Flint, Michigan 48502
  562. 810-766-7346 FAX: 810-766-7218 www.cityoffl int.com
  563. Darnell Earley
  564. ICMA·CM, MPA
  565. Emergency Manager
  566. Dayne Walling
  567. Mayor
  568. dedicated to monitoring the overall welfare of local bodies of water, overseeing more
  569. than 30 different nearby locations. Rebecca Fedewa has been director of the watershed
  570. coalition since 2008. By virtue of her passion for her work and her position on the board,
  571. she is very conversant with the condition of the Flint River. In her words, "The Flint River
  572. is increasingly healthy, and completely suitable as a drinking water
  573. source." Fedewa and FRWC are working closely with the city "to monitor flows and
  574. habitats between the intake and the waste water treatment plant to ensure there are
  575. minimal to no impacts to the overall health of the river."
  576. FRWC also invites city residents to be a part of their monitoring exercises during
  577. this spring in order "to gain firsthand knowledge in the health and vitality of our Flint
  578. River." Mayor Dayne Walling invited everyone at today's event to toast to Flint's water.
  579. "It's regular, good, pure drinking water, and it's right in our backyard," said Mayor
  580. Walling, "this is the first step in the right direction for Flint, as we take this monumental
  581. step forward in controlling the future of our community's most precious resource. "
  582. - END-
  583. City Hall
  584. 1101 S. Saginaw Street - Flint, Michigan 48502
  585. 81 0-766-7346 FAX: 810-766-7218 www.cityofllint.com
  586. From: Scott, Allison {GOY)
  587. Sent: Friday, January 2015 1:41 PM
  588. To: Snyder, Rick (G
  589. Subject: FW: jim ananic
  590. Follow up on the f lint water from dick p
  591. From: Posthumus/ Dick (GOV)
  592. Sent: Thursday
  593. 1
  594. January 22
  595. 1
  596. 2015 12:29 PM
  597. To: Scott
  598. 1
  599. Allison (GOV); Muchmore
  600. 1
  601. Dennis (GOV); Clement
  602. 1
  603. Elizabeth (GOV)
  604. Subject: RE: jim ananich 0 °
  605. We have two meetings coming up on this next week Wed. The first is an internal meeting with Denni s, Beth, Tom
  606. Saxton, John Walsh, Harvey Hollins and myself. Later that day we are meeting with several people from Flint i ncluding
  607. the EM, Mayor, and Senator Ananich.
  608. Dick
  609. From: Scott
  610. 1
  611. Allison (GOY)
  612. Sent: Thursday/ January 22
  613. 1
  614. 2015 12:00 PM
  615. To: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Clement
  616. 1
  617. Elizabeth (GOY)
  618. Cc: Posthumus
  619. 1
  620. Dick (GOY)
  621. Subject: jim ananich
  622. Brought up the flint water topic- any update for Gov on this subject? Dennis, gov thought you were
  623. checking into this.
  624. Thanks
  625. ALS
  626. 1
  627. 89 (Rev. 11-13)
  628. RICK SNYDER
  629. GOVERNOR
  630. STATE OF MICHIGAN
  631. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
  632. LANSING
  633. February 3, 2015
  634. R. KEVIN CLINTON
  635. STATE TREASURER
  636. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  637. www.michigan.gov/treasury
  638. Contact: Tel'l'y Stanton, Treasury
  639. (517) 335-2167
  640. Dave Murray, Governor
  641. (517) 335-6397 draft
  642. Gov. Ric/c Snyder announces grants helping distressed
  643. municipalities with water, public safety, appraisal issues
  644. $8 million awarded for projects aimed at improving services, quality of life
  645. LANSING, Mich. -- Gov. Rick Snyder today awarded $8 million to six municipalities to fund
  646. various improvement projects, including water system and street lighting enhancements and
  647. technology upgrades through the Financially Distressed Cities, Villages, and Townships Grant
  648. Program.
  649. Municipalities are eligible for the grants ofthey are experiencing one or more conditions
  650. indicative of"probable financial stress," as defined by Public Act 436 of2012, the Local
  651. Financial Stability and Cl?-oice Act.
  652. "Municipalities receiving this special funding are some of the areas hardest hit by the Great
  653. Recession," Snyder said. "I am pleased we can offer funding assistance to help these local
  654. govemments improve various public services their taxpayers and residents expect and deserve."
  655. Under the grant program, funding may be used to pay for specific projects, services, or
  656. strategies that move a city, village, or township toward financial stability. There was $8
  657. million appropriated for the program with a $2 million cap, per local unit.
  658. The following communities will receive fi.mding this year, with projects and amounts noted
  659. (alphabetical order):
  660. Local Unit
  661. City of Benton Harbor
  662. City of Benton Harbor
  663. Project Description
  664. Complete a property reappraisal to provide updated and
  665. accurate assessing records. Additionally, conununity
  666. enhancement through blight management and sidewalk
  667. replacement.
  668. Water system enhancement through water main replacements
  669. and fire hydrant repairs.
  670. P.O. BOX 30716 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 46909
  671. www.mlchlgan.gov/treasury • (5"17) 373-3200
  672. Amount
  673. $475,000
  674. $434,960
  675. Page2
  676. City of Ecorse Public safe!)' _ enhancement through improved street lighting. $350,000
  677. City of Flint Water system enhancement through improved waste
  678. management. $1,100,000
  679. City of Flint Water system enhancement through leak detection and pipe
  680. assessments. $900,000
  681. City of Hamtramck Complete a property reappraisal to provide updated and
  682. accurate assessing records. $167,860
  683. City ofHamtramck Upgrade City Hall security. $50,000
  684. City of Hamtramck Public safety enhancement tluough improved street lighting. $404,600
  685. City of Highland Park Water system enhancement through meter replacement, leak
  686. detection, and system repairs. $2,000,000
  687. City of Inkster Complete a property reappraisal to provide updated and
  688. accurate assessing records. $73,460
  689. City oflnkster Water system enhancement through fire hydrant repairs. $150,000
  690. City ofinkster Provide a backup power source for public safety. $30,000
  691. City oflnkster Public safety enhancement through the creation of a multi-
  692. jurisdictional narcotic team. $240,000
  693. City oflnkster Public safety enhancement through police officer training. $41,970
  694. · City oflukster Public safety enhancement through the deployment of an
  695. additional police officer. $320,000
  696. · City of Lincoln Park Public safety enhancement through updated technology. $143,490
  697. City of Melvindale Public safety enhancement through fleet replacement of police
  698. vehicles and updated technology. $88,000
  699. City of Pontiac Community enhancement through blight management.
  700. $125,000
  701. City of River Rouge Public safety enhancement tlu·ough improved street lighting.
  702. Additionally, infrastructure replacements to City Hall. $591,508
  703. Royal Oak Township Public safety enhancement tlu·ough improved street lighting $86,559
  704. Royal Oak Townshi_p Public safety enhancement of _l)_olice services. $217,593
  705. Applications for the next round of Financially Distressed Cities, Villages, and Townships
  706. Grant Program will be available on the Department of Treasmy website this spring.
  707. Applications must be submitted to Treasury by the close of business on XXX, XXX 31,
  708. 2015.
  709. Preference is generally given to applicants from local units in which:
  710. • A financial emergency has been declared in the past :five years;
  711. • An approved deficit elimination plan for the general fund is cmTently in place; or,
  712. • Two or more conditions indicating "probable financial distress" currently exist.
  713. For more information about ;FDCVT grants, including an application for cities,
  714. villages, and townships, visit www.michigan.gov/revenuesharing.
  715. ####
  716. *Conditions of"probable financial distress" relating solely to school districts are not included as conditions
  717. for FDCVT, as school districts are not eligible.
  718. AICI< SNYDER
  719. GOVf:RNOfl
  720. CONTACTS:
  721.      
  722. a
  723. S'rA'rll OF MICHIGAN
  724. EXECUTIVE OFFICE
  725. LANSING
  726. Sara Wurfel or Dave Murray, Governor's Office
  727. 517-335-6397
  728. Terry Stanton, Department of Treasury
  729. 517-335-2167
  730. BRIAN CALLEY
  731. 1:(, GOVERNOR
  732. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  733. January 18, 2016
  734. Gov. Rick Snyder awards Flint $2 million in Distressed
  735. Cities grants for water system infrastructure improvements
  736. Funding to be used for leak detection, waste incinerator replacement
  737. LANSING, Mich.- Gov. Rick Snyder today awarded Flint $2 million in grants for water
  738. system infrastructure improvements, part of an overall $8 million plan to help cities through
  739. the Financially Distressed Cities, Villages, and Townships Grant Program.
  740. Flint is among six municipalities receiving grants through the program. The city will use the
  741. funding to detect leaks in its water lines and replace its Water Pollution Control Facility
  742. Incinerator.
  743. "There are opportunities for the state government to assist Flint city leaders as they
  744. address issues related to the city's water system," Snyder said. "These grants will help
  745. recovering cities improve public services and infrastructure, improving the quality of life for
  746. all residents."
  747. The grants to Flint were announced today at the Haskell Community Center by Harvey
  748. Hollins, director of the state's Office of Urban Initiatives and Wayne Worl<man, the state's
  749. deputy treasurer. They were joined by Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of
  750. Environmental Quality, Flint Emergency Manager Jerry Ambrose, Mayor Dayne Walling,
  751. state Senate. Minority Leader Jim Ananich, state Reps. Sheldon Neeley and Phil Phelps.
  752. Flint was awarded $900,000 to allow the city to hire a contractor to perform a leak
  753. detection survey of the city water lines. The city will receive a map of leal< locations and an
  754. assessment of leak severity, all owing the city to prioritize leak repair. The project also
  755. covers the expense of conducting a water pipe line wall"thickness condition assessment on
  756. a portion of the city's pipes. The assessment will guide the city's water main replacement
  757. program.
  758. The city also was awarded $1.1 million to shut down its current Water Pollution Control
  759. Facility incinerator and replace it with new facilities which will allow for the disposal of
  760. waste in landfills. The existing facilities are not up to federal Environmental Protection
  761. Agency standards.
  762. Municipalities are eligible for the grants of they are experiencing one or more conditions
  763. indicative of "probable financial stress," as defined by Public Act 436 of 2012, the Local
  764. Financial Stability and Choice Act.
  765. Under the grant program, funding may be used to pay for specific projects, services, or
  766. strategies that move a city, vi ll age, or township toward financial stability. There was $8
  767. million appropriated for the program with a $2 million cap, per local unit.
  768. ##
  769. Snyder, Rick {GOV}
  770. From:
  771. Sent:
  772. To:
  773. Subject:
  774. Attachments:
  775. All:
  776. Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  777. Wednesday, April 30, 2014 4:36 PM
  778. Snyder, Rick (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Baird, Richard
  779. (GOV); Agen, Jarrod (GOV); Wurfel, Sara (GOV)
  780. Talking Points on budget 043014.doc
  781. Talking Points on budget 043014.doc
  782. The Flint EM will give a budget presentation tomorrow, attached are his basic talking points. I can get you details if
  783. needed. Please note that this presentation will result in an anticipated layoff, by December 2014, of 55 public safety
  784. personnel (19 fire and 36 police).
  785. Harvey
  786. 1
  787. Talking Points on City of Flint FY15 & FY16 budget Received from Flint Emergency Manager
  788. • The city has an obligation to budget responsibly and that has led to a 2-year budget
  789. proposal. The budgets for these two fiscal years are balanced. The City remains in a
  790. budgetary crisis that impairs its ability to provide public safety and other city services.
  791. However, the city sees this as the beginning, not the end of this process.
  792. • Over the next six months -
  793. ./ The city will work to prevent an immediate disruption in public safety- reductions
  794. are to be achieved by December 2014, not immediate lay-off\ this will be a
  795. managed process .
  796. ./ The City is unable to fully fund its Police and Fire Departments at current levels and
  797. is unable to provide needed public safety services at current levels. A
  798. Comprehensive Police and Fire Study will recommend the most efficient use ofthe
  799. city's limited public safety resources .
  800. ./ The city will continue working toward a resolution of the retiree health care lawsuit
  801. -this is a $5 million additional (and increasing) expense across all City funds .
  802. ./ The Mayor and Emergency Manager will seek State support for increased revenue:
  803. opportunity for residents to vote on increased income tax rate, State assistance to
  804. participate in a voluntary OPEB pool, and increased shared revenue .
  805. ./ City will complete organizational restructuring to fully utilize City staff .
  806. ./ City will engage our partner organizations throughout the city, county and state for
  807. recommendations and support.
  808. • Throughout the 2-year budget period the Michigan State Police have indicated that they will
  809. continue their directed patrol and investigative support for public safety in Flint . This
  810. support has been tremendously valuable to the City of Flint. The city will continue to work
  811. together cooperatively and look for ways to enhance this relationship for the safety and
  812. security of the residents and visitors.
  813. • Beyond this budget period the City will still face significant financial challenges without
  814. major revenue increases. The 2-year budget gives the City stability while it works to achieve
  815. a long-term solution.
  816. 1
  817. Anticipated public safety layoffs are 19 fire and 36 police for a total public safety reduction of 55. Revenues
  818. needed to prevent the public safety layoffs is ca. $4 million]
  819. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  820. From:
  821. Sent:
  822. To:
  823. Cc:
  824. Subject:
  825. Attachments:
  826. Governor,
  827. Agen, Jarrod (GOV)
  828. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 4:48 PM
  829. Snyder, Rick (GOV); Calley, Brian (GOV)
  830. Scott, Allison (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Wurfel, Sara
  831. (GOV); Brownfield, Michael (GOV); Ellison, Melanie (GOV)
  832. Q2 Public Safety Stats
  833. 2014 Second Quarter Stats.doc
  834. Attached are the Q2 Public Safety numbers that you mentioned on your issues list and wanted to see.
  835. Very positive signs in Flint (-9.9%), Saginaw (-31.2%), and Detroit (-18.7%) compared to last year.
  836. MSP is also working on a report to show the monthly crime statistics since we went into the Secure Cities, which will give
  837. us even better context on the progress we have made.
  838. We'll be working in Comms on ways to promote this progress.
  839. Thanks
  840. Jarrod
  841. 1
  842. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  843. From:
  844. Sent:
  845. To:
  846. Subject:
  847. Attachments:
  848. Governor,
  849. Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  850. Thursday, July 24, 2014 2:36 PM
  851. Snyder, Rick (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV)
  852. PRESS RELEASE: Operation Fresh Start
  853. OFS.Fiyer.pdf; Operation Fresh Start Release.pdf
  854. During the Flint public safety/community meeting you attended in December 2013, ChiefTolbert talked about his idea
  855. to assist residents with certain misdemeanors that result in outstanding warrants. Operations. Below is information
  856. regarding the launch of Operation Fresh Start.
  857. Best,
  858. Harvey
  859. For Immediate Release
  860. Operation: Fresh Start Program will Help Residents in 48501 & 48502 Zip Codes with
  861. Certain Misdemeanors Find Resolution to
  862. Outstanding Warrants
  863. Flint, Michigan - July 23, 2014- The City of Flint Police Department and Flint Lifelines have developed a program
  864. called Operation: Fresh Start which will offer residents with outstanding misdemeanor warrants in the City of
  865. Flint to find resolution and avoid jail time and court costs. The program will focus on wanants by zip code, the
  866. first two being 48501 and 48502 for this event. The event will be held on Monday, July 28,2014 from I O:OOam
  867. to 4:00pm at the Hubbard Building of the University of Michigan-Flint, off Chavez Drive near Campus Drive
  868. and Mill St.
  869. Operation: Fresh Start features partners from the City of Flint, Genesee County, the State of Michigan and
  870. community-based organizations working together to offer settlement of minor civil infractions as well as help
  871. participants apply for a driver's license, find assistance for health and human services, employment
  872. 1
  873. opportunities and continuing education advice. This means that anyone with a primary address in the zip codes
  874. above is invited to attend and seek resolution to their legal problem.
  875. Police Chief James Tolbe1i recognized a need for a program such as this after learning that there are about
  876. 23,000 outstanding wanants in the City of Flint dating all the way back to the 1970s. "The failure to address
  877. these violations has resulted in warrants being issued and driver responsibility fines being levied," noted Chief
  878. Tolbert. "These warrants affect an individual 's ability to become employed and their ability to seek employment
  879. and to provide financially for their families. Given these pressures, there is a high probability that criminal
  880. conduct can occur."
  881. ChiefTolbe1i also plans on holding more Operation Fresh Stmi events for other zip code areas throughout Flint
  882. in the near future. Residents from the 48501 and 48502 zip codes interested in participating must bring a valid
  883. photo 10 with their cmTent address showing they live in those areas. Residents with felony warrants or
  884. misdemeanor wanants for child support, DUI and related offenses are not eligible.
  885. Operation Fresh Start is made possible through collaborative effmis by the Flint Police Department, Flint
  886. Lifelines, Genesee County Prosecutor's Office, Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan Depmiment of
  887. Corrections, Michigan Depmiment of Human Services, Michigan Depmiment ofTreasury, Flint Area
  888. Congregations Together (FACT), Genesee County Land Bank, Community Resolution Center, Metro
  889. Community Development, Mott Community College Workforce Education Center, University of Michigan-
  890. Flint Depmtment of Public Safety and the Michigan State Police.
  891. -END-
  892. MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
  893. Police Chief James Tolbert and other Flint Lifelines members will be made available for
  894. interview and media appearances. Please respond to this message or call the number below
  895. for arrangements.
  896. -Jason Lorenz
  897. 2
  898. Public Information Officer
  899. City of Flint
  900. (81 0) 237-2039
  901. j lorenz@cityoffli nt.com
  902. 3
  903. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  904. From:
  905. Sent:
  906. To:
  907. Cc:
  908. Ellison, Melanie (GOV)
  909. Friday, September 12, 2014 9:40AM
  910. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  911. Scott, Allison (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Emmitt, Beth
  912. (GOV); Utley, Corey (GOV); Ellison, Melanie (GOV)
  913. Subject: Fwd: Flint updates
  914. Attachments: Gov Briefing- Flint.docx; ATTOOOOl.htm
  915. Governor,
  916. Attached is additional information from MEDC re: Flint.
  917. Please let us know if you have any questions.
  918. Thanks,
  919. Melanie
  920. Sent from my iPad
  921. Begin forwarded message:
  922. From: Melissa Dansereau <dansereaum@michigan.org>
  923. Date: September 12, 2014 at 9:18:41 AM EDT
  924. To: "Ellison, Melanie (GOV) (EIIisonM2@michigan.gov)" <EIIisonM2@michigan.gov>
  925. Subject: Flint updates
  926. Hi Melanie. Here are some Flint updates.
  927. Melissa M. Dansereau
  928. Business Analyst, Business Development- Sales Operations
  929. Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  930. 300 N. Washington Square I Lansing, Ml 48913
  931. 517.489.9018
  932. melissa@michigan.org
  933. This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the
  934. intended recipient (or authorized to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use,
  935. copy, disseminate or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If
  936. you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete the
  937. message. Thank you very much.
  938. 1
  939. Flint City update
  940. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
  941. Staff Lead: Khalfani Stephens, Business Development Manager, 517-410-9377,
  942. stephensk@michigan.org
  943. BACKGROUND
  944. The City of Flint is on a slow but steady road to recovery. Governance has improved as they work to
  945. create a transition plan to move from Emergency Manager to local oversight. The work on the regional
  946. water system is proceeding well.
  947. Business development is handled primarily by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. The MEDC
  948. collaborates very closely with the Chamber, as they are the lead Collaborative Development Council
  949. (CDC) representative for MEDC Region 6. Region 6 also has the I-69 Corridor Next Michigan
  950. Development Corporation initiative. This initiative is led by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce.
  951. MEDC is currently working on the following projects in the Flint region:
  952.  
  953.  
  954.  
  955.  
  956.  
  957.  
  958.  
  959.  
  960.  
  961.  
  962.  
  963.  
  964.  
  965.  
  966.  
  967.  
  968.  
  969.  
  970.  
  971.  
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  978.  
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  980.  
  981.  
  982.  
  983.  
  984. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  985. From:
  986. Sent:
  987. To:
  988. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  989. Wednesday, October 01, 2014 11:55 AM
  990. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  991. Subject: Fwd: CITY OF FLINT DRINKING WATER, GOVERNOR' S OFFICE BRIEFING PAPER
  992. Attachments: Governor Briefing -City of Flint 10-1-14.docx; ATTOOOOl.htm; Governor Briefing -City of
  993. Flint 10-1-14.pdf; ATT00002.htm; Flint Monthly Pumpage Comparison.pdf;
  994. ATT00003.htm; ODWMA-399-022.pdf; ATT00004.htm
  995. Sent from my iPad
  996. Begin forwarded message:
  997. From: "Thelen, Mary Beth (DEQ)" <rHELENM2@michigan.gov>
  998. To: "Scott, Allison (GOV)" <scotta12@michigan.gov>, "Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)"
  999. <muchmored@michigan.gov>, "Brader, Valerie (GOV)" <braderv@michigan.gov>
  1000. Cc: "Wurfel, Brad (DEQ)" <WurfelB@michigan.gov>, "Wyant, Dan (DEQ)"
  1001. <WyantD@michigan.gov>, "Datema, Maggie (DEQ)" <DatemaM@michigan.gov>, "Sygo, Jim
  1002. (DEQ)" <SygoJ@michigan.gov>, "Wisniewski, Wendy (GOV)"
  1003. <wisniewskiw@michigan.gov>, "West, Samantha (GOV)" <WestS2@michigan.gov>
  1004. Subject: CITY OF FLINT DRINKING WATER, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BRIEFING
  1005. PAPER
  1006. Dear Governor, Dennis, and Val:
  1007. Per your request, the attached briefing paper is on the City of Flint drinking water
  1008. situation. Director Dan Wyant has asked that I send this to you. A Word version as well as a pdf
  1009. version is attached. We have also included a copy of the policy ODWMA-399-022 which
  1010. specifically provides guidance regarding boil water advisory situations, and a chati showing the
  1011. significant increase in the City of Flint' s water demands following the extreme conditions
  1012. experienced this past winter.
  1013. Allison, please forward to the Govemor. Thank you.
  1014. If you have any questions or need further information, please let us know. Thank you.
  1015. Mary Beth
  1016. Mary Beth Thelen
  1017. Management Assistant to Director Dan Wyant
  1018. Depatiment of Environmental Quality
  1019. Constitution Hall, 6th Floor South
  1020. Phone: 517-284-6712 or 284-6700 (new numbers)
  1021. Fax: 517-241-7401
  1022. Thelenm2@michigan.gov<mailto :Thelenm2@michigan. gov>
  1023. 1
  1024. Attachments
  1025. 2
  1026. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
  1027. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BRIEFING PAPER
  1028. CITY OF FLINT DRINKING WATER
  1029. What contributed to the Boil Water Advisories in the city of Flint?
  1030. A number of factors, not one specific cause, likely contributed to the Boil Water
  1031. Advisories (BWAs) in the city of Flint during August and September 2014. While use of
  1032. the Flint River has increased the amount of natural organic matter in the city's water, the
  1033. Flint Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has performed well above treatment requirements
  1034. for organic carbon removal. In addition, less than 20 percent of the water system was
  1035. included in the advisory area. If treatment had been compromised, detections would
  1036. have been widespread throughout the city, rather than in such a localized area.
  1037. The city's water distribution system has suffered from a lack of infrastructure investment
  1038. and asset management. Most of the city's over 550 miles of water mains are now over
  1039. 75 years old and constructed of cast iron piping. Cast iron pipe is subject to internal
  1040. corrosion, called tuberculation, which causes buildup on the pipe interior, leading to
  1041. water quality issues, reduced flow and pressures, and leakage. Tuberculation also
  1042. encourages the development of biofilms, layers of bacteria that attach to the interior
  1043. pipe wall. Biofilm growth is common in areas of piping with little or no disinfectant
  1044. residual, and together with tuberculation can clog water lines to the point of insufficient
  1045. water pressure.
  1046. The city has also experienced decades of a declining user base and water use
  1047. associated with vacant homes, commercial businesses, and industrial property.
  1048. Declining water use leads to excess residence time within the city's distribution pipes
  1049. and water storage facilities, accelerating tuberculation, biofilm growth, and disinfectant
  1050. residual degradation. While the city has recently seen an infusion of funding for blight
  1051. removal, contractors completing this work have been improperly using fire hydrants,
  1052. causing hydraulic disturbances that dislodged and suspended settled debris, which may
  1053. have contributed to the bacterial contamination.
  1054. The winter of 2014 was also one of the coldest experienced by the water system. The
  1055. city, which historically has unaccounted water losses of over 30 percent, has seen even
  1056. greater losses since February 2014 due to an increase in cold weather-related water
  1057. main breaks and leaks. The city lacks a formal maintenance program for its over 7,250
  1058. valves, which would normally be used to limit impacts during break repairs. Two valves
  1059. on the transmission line used to supply the area of the BWAs were found to be closed
  1060. during the city's investigation, causing longer residence time, reduced disinfectant
  1061. residual , reduced flow, and reduced pressure. One of these valves has remained
  1062. broken.
  1063. Governor's Office Briefing Paper
  1064. City of Flint Drinking Water
  1065. Page 2
  1066. The BWAs also occurred during the warmest and, for 2014, relatively wet periods of
  1067. August and September. Warm weather conditions are not only more conducive to
  1068. bacterial growth but also degrade the water's disinfectant residual carried out from the
  1069. WTP more quickly. Longer residence times, biofilms, and tuberculation also contribute
  1070. to disinfectant residual degradation. Warm wet weather conditions also allow water
  1071. contaminated with bacteria to pool around piping with leaks and breaks.
  1072. Process for Issuance and Cancelation of a Boil Water Advisory
  1073. There are a number of conditions that can trigger BWAs. This includes the following:
  1074. Bacteria Monitoring Detections
  1075. Bacteria Standards Violations
  1076. Treatment System Failures
  1077. Waterborne Disease Outbreaks
  1078. Loss of System Pressure
  1079. Water Main Breaks
  1080. Other Interruptions in Service
  1081. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has developed a policy and procedure
  1082. regarding BWAs to help guide staff, provide consistency, and maintain public health. A
  1083. PDF of Policy and Procedure No. ODWMA-399-022 is being forwarded with this briefing
  1084. paper.
  1085. BWAs may be self-initiated by the water system, issued collaboratively in consultation
  1086. with the DEQ, or when necessary mandated by the DEQ. Requesting customers to boil
  1087. the water when bacterial contamination has occurred provides an added barrier of
  1088. public health protection.
  1089. The BWAs that recently occurred in the city of Flint were associated with bacteria
  1090. monitoring detections and violations of bacteria standards. These advisories were
  1091. issued by the city of Flint collaboratively in consultation with the DEQ.
  1092. Current regulations regarding monitoring and standards for bacteria in water distribution
  1093. systems were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have been in
  1094. effect since 1990, and were incorporated into the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act,
  1095. 1976 PA 399, as amended. There are a variety of bacteria, parasites, and viruses that
  1096. can potentially cause health problems if humans ingest them in drinking water. Testing
  1097. water for each of these potential pathogens would be difficult and expensive. Instead,
  1098. water systems test for total coliform and E. coli. Total coliform bacteria react to water
  1099. treatment in a manner similar to many pathogens. Therefore, the presence of total
  1100. coliform in drinking water indicates there may be a pathway for pathogens or other
  1101. contaminants to enter the system. The absence of total coliforms in the distribution
  1102. system minimizes the likelihood that pathogens are present. E. coli is itself a pathogen,
  1103. and its detection would be direct evidence of a health risk.
  1104. Governor's Office Briefing Paper
  1105. City of Flint Drinking Water
  1106. Page 3
  1107. Once a BWA has been issued, time is needed to investigate potential causes and
  1108. implement corrective measures. The larger the water system, the more time this may
  1109. take. Once corrective measures have been taken, samples must be collected and
  1110. analyzed to confirm that bacteria are no longer present. Using the most common
  1111. analytical method, samples must be incubated for a period of 24 hours before results
  1112. can be obtained. In situations where the bacterial contamination has been confirmed,
  1113. two consecutive rounds of safe samples collected at least 24 hours apart are normally
  1114. obtained before canceling a BWA. Adding each of these steps together, a normal
  1115. response period to cancel a BWA under these circumstances would be expected to take
  1116. at least 3 to 4 days.
  1117. Recent History of the City of Flint Water System
  1118. Historically, the city of Flint had been a customer of the Detroit Water and Sewerage
  1119. Department (DWSD) while simultaneously maintaining the Flint WTP to provide
  1120. emergency backup service using the Flint River. The WTP performed quarterly test
  1121. operations to maintain readiness and was utilized twice in 2009, supplying water once
  1122. for 2 days and the other for 3 days.
  1123. In April 2013 the city of Flint notified the DWSD that it would be terminating service in
  1124. the future and contracting for raw water service from the Karegnondi Water Authority
  1125. (KWA). Work on the KWA pipeline from Lake Huron broke ground in June 2013 and is
  1126. expected to be completed with connection in late 2016.
  1127. In August 2013 Rowe Professional Services Company completed an engineering
  1128. proposal for improvements to the Flint WTP that would allow continuous operation of
  1129. the WTP utilizing the Flint River in lieu of continuing service from the DWSD until
  1130. completion of the KWA pipeline. In March 2014 the city of Flint entered into a Consent
  1131. Agreement with the DEQ regarding the Flint WTP's lime sludge facility. In April 2014
  1132. the DEQ issued a construction permit for improvements to the Flint WTP. On April 25,
  1133. 2014, the city of Flint began continuous operation of the WTP, using water from the Flint
  1134. River and discontinued the purchase of water from the DWSD.
  1135. A BWA was issued for August 15-20, 2014, for a portion of the city of Flint due to
  1136. localized detections of total coliform and E. coli bacteria. Another BWA was issued for
  1137. September 5-9, 2014, due to localized detections of total coliform bacteria in the same
  1138. and adjacent portions of the city of Flint. The advisory covered an area of
  1139. approximately six square miles. The city of Flint has a total land area of just over
  1140. 34 square miles.
  1141. Governor's Office Briefing Paper
  1142. City of Flint Drinking Water
  1143. Page4
  1144. While many of the BWA contributing factors listed above require long-term solutions, the
  1145. city has taken operational steps to limit the potential for a BWA to reoccur. The city has
  1146. increased flushing of water mains to limit residence time, maintain disinfectant residual,
  1147. and help remove buildup and deposits within the piping. The city is boosting chlorine
  1148. disinfectant residual at locations in the distribution system as needed. The city
  1149. continues to investigate water leaks and water main breaks and the status and condition
  1150. of system valves.
  1151. Prepared by: Stephen Busch, P.E.
  1152. Lansing and Jackson District Supervisor
  1153. Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance
  1154. Department of Environmental Quality
  1155. October 1, 2014
  1156. Snyder, Riel< (GOV)
  1157. From: Posthumus, Dick (GOV)
  1158. Sent:
  1159. To:
  1160. Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:05 PM
  1161. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  1162. Subject: FW: Flint City Income Tax
  1163. Governor;
  1164. Have you talked to anybody indicating support of a bill that would allow Flint to increase its Income Tax from 1% to
  1165. 1.5%? I talked to Dennis and he wasn't sure where you stood on it. And if you support it, do you want us to make it a
  1166. priority to pass before the end of the year?
  1167. Dick
  1168. From: Ackerman, Darin (GOV)
  1169. Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 12:49 PM
  1170. To: Posthumus, Dick (GOV)
  1171. Subject: Fwd: Flint City Income Tax
  1172. Just double checking to see if this is your understanding as well. Ananich has asked me about thi s, so I would like to
  1173. report back to him.
  1174. Thanks,
  1175. Darin Ackerman, Deputy Director
  1176. Legislative Affairs Division
  1177. Office of Governor Snyder
  1178. State Capitol
  1179. Lansing, Ml 48913
  1180. Phone: (517) 241-3950
  1181. Begin forwarded message:
  1182. From: "Ryan, Howard (Treasury)" <RyanH1@michigan.gov>
  1183. Date: November 24, 2014 at 12:30:36 PM EST
  1184. To: "Posthumus, Dick (GOV)" <Posthumusd@michigan.gov>
  1185. Cc: "Durfee, Sally (GOV)" <durfees@michigan.gov>, "Ackerman, Darin (GOV)"
  1186. <ackermand3@michigan.gov>
  1187. Subject: Flint City Income Tax
  1188. I'm being told that the Governor has agreed t o allow Flint to have a vote t o increase its city income tax
  1189. from 1.0% to 1.5%. The bill is 4868 and is a Stanley bill. The bill will raise approximately $6.5 million f or
  1190. the city and is a first house biii ........ This is a new priority for us.
  1191. 1
  1192. Snyder. Rick (GOV)
  1193. From:
  1194. Sent:
  1195. To:
  1196. Subject:
  1197. From: Durfee, Sally (GOV)
  1198. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  1199. Wednesday, December 03, 2014 11:24 AM
  1200. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  1201. FW: Farrington - Flint income tax bill - LUNCHTIME TOPIC
  1202. Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 11:23 AM
  1203. To: Scott, Allison (GOV)
  1204. Cc: Posthumus, Dick (GOV)
  1205. Subject: Farrington - Flint income tax bill
  1206. Governor,
  1207. As you know Flint would like to increase its city income t ax from 1.0% to 1.5%- like Grand Rapids and Saginaw. The bill
  1208. is 4868 and is a Stanley bill. The bill will raise approximately $6.5 million for the city. The Flint EM as well as Saxton
  1209. over in Treasury support the passage of this bill.
  1210. Farrington, Chair of House Taxation- said he would take up this bill over his dead body. Then he said he would take up
  1211. if you asked directly.
  1212. You are having lunch with him today - can you just mention the importance of getti ng this bill done before we adjourn.
  1213. Sally
  1214. 1
  1215. Snyder, Riel< (GOV)
  1216. From:
  1217. Sent:
  1218. To:
  1219. Subject:
  1220. Attachments:
  1221. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  1222. Thursday, December 18, 2014 8:43 PM
  1223. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  1224. flint doc from Dennis
  1225. Flint info.pdf
  1226. 1
  1227. City of Flint
  1228. Steps to Prepare for Transition From Emergency Manager to Receivership Transition Advisory Board
  1229. * Appoint Selection Committee
  1230. * Select finalists
  1231. * Conduct Interviews
  1232. * Recommend Candidate
  1233. * EM Appoints Selected Candidate
  1234. City organizational structure
  1235. * EM/Mayor recommend Council action
  1236. on ordinance changes to implement
  1237. organizational structure
  1238. * Council to review and adopt revised
  1239. organizational structure
  1240. * Finalization organizational structure
  1241. roles: Mayor, Council, Administration
  1242. Complete Bargaining Units Contracts
  1243. * Local1600
  1244. * local1799
  1245. * FPOA
  1246. * PD-Sgts.
  1247. * PO -Capts & Lts.
  1248. *Fire Union
  1249. Revision: 12/17/2014
  1250. Target
  1251. 9/1/14
  1252. 10/1/14
  1253. 11/10/14
  1254. 11/24/14
  1255. 12/15/14
  1256. 12/15/14
  1257. 5/17/14
  1258. 5/17/14
  1259. 6/26/14
  1260. 7/1/14
  1261. 7/1/14
  1262. 7/1/14
  1263. 7/1/14
  1264. 7/1/14
  1265. 7/1/14
  1266. Completion
  1267. 12/18/2014
  1268. 11/4/2014
  1269. 11/4/2014
  1270. 11/12/2014
  1271. 12/1/2014
  1272. 12/18/2014
  1273. 5/17/2014
  1274. 6/26/2014
  1275. 6/26/2014
  1276. 6/26/2014
  1277. Ratified
  1278. Ratified
  1279. Imposed
  1280. Ratified
  1281. Ratified
  1282. Pagel
  1283. 7 Pt. Trans. Pfan # Comments
  1284. 4
  1285. 4
  1286. 4
  1287. 4
  1288. 4
  1289. Transition Status Chart 072114
  1290. City of Flint
  1291. Steps to Prepare for Transition From Emergency Manager to Receivership Transition Advisory Board
  1292. Comprehensive Public Safety Study
  1293. * Contract with 1CMA for Study
  1294. * Collect Data
  1295. * Receive Draft Report
  1296. * Receive Final Report
  1297. * Plan Implementation
  1298. * Determine best, most appropriate use of
  1299. $1.1 million State Allocation
  1300. Retiree Health care Lawsuit
  1301. * City Notified of lawsuit
  1302. * Injunction Received
  1303. * Injunction Modified
  1304. Cornerstone determines impact on FY15
  1305. * & 16 Budget
  1306. * Implement Modifications
  1307. * Scheduling Conference
  1308. *
  1309. Mayor and Council to support City's
  1310. position on retiree health care or adopt
  1311. measures offsetting increased costs
  1312. Biennial Budget Implementation
  1313. * Biennial Budget Adopted
  1314. * 1st Quarter Status
  1315. * 2nd Quarter Status
  1316. FY 14 Budget Close Out
  1317. * Preliminary Close
  1318. * Audit Received
  1319. * Audit Presentation to City Council
  1320. Revision: 12/17/2014
  1321. Target
  1322. 5/9/14-9/30/14
  1323. 9/30/14
  1324. 11/1/14
  1325. 9/1/14
  1326. 11/1/14
  1327. 6/26/14
  1328. 10/1/14
  1329. 1/1/15
  1330. 11/30/14
  1331. 12/15/14
  1332. Completion
  1333. 5/8/2014
  1334. 9/30/2014
  1335. 11/1/2014
  1336. 1/13/2014
  1337. 6/30/2014
  1338. 6/26/2014
  1339. 6/26/2014
  1340. 10/13/2014
  1341. Page2
  1342. 7 Pt. Trans. Pfan # Comments
  1343. 4
  1344. 5
  1345. 5
  1346. 6
  1347. FY14 closed on June 30, 2014
  1348. Transition Status Chart 072114
  1349. City of Flint
  1350. Steps to Prepare for Transition From Emergency Manager to Receivership Transition Advisory Board
  1351. Target
  1352. Governance
  1353. * EM receives BRC Final Report 7/18/14
  1354. * Present Report to Mayor and City
  1355. Council 7/28/14
  1356. * Mayor and Council Submit Comments to
  1357. EM 7/28/14
  1358. * EM Orders BRC Recommended Charter
  1359. Admendments and Charter Commission
  1360. Initiative on Nov. Ballot 7/30/14
  1361. * EM develops proposed governance
  1362. structure and sends to governor
  1363. * Mayor and Council Comments on EM
  1364. Proposal 7/28/14
  1365. * Define and incorporate financial and
  1366. organizational best practices 3/25/ 13
  1367. * EM Submits Plan to Treasury 7/1/ 14
  1368. * Treasury Approval Received
  1369. * EM Orders DE/RAP Adoption
  1370. * City Council passes resolution of support
  1371. for DE/RAP
  1372. * Confirmation by Mayor and Council that
  1373. DE/RAP actions will be a top priority in
  1374. budgeting 6/26/14
  1375. Revision: 12/17/2014
  1376. Completion
  1377. 7/18/2014
  1378. 7/28/14
  1379. 7/28/14
  1380. 8/5/ 2014
  1381. 7/28/ 2014
  1382. 3/25/2014
  1383. 7/ 1/ 2014
  1384. 7/ 16/ 2014
  1385. 7/15/2014
  1386. 3/25/2014
  1387. 6/26/ 2014
  1388. Page3
  1389. 7 Pt. Trans. Plan #
  1390. 3
  1391. 3
  1392. 3
  1393. 3
  1394. 7
  1395. 1
  1396. 1
  1397. Comments
  1398. Charter Review Cmte. approved by
  1399. voters 11/4/14
  1400. Part of Final Order
  1401. Reso on TAB
  1402. Reso on TAB
  1403. Transition Status Chart 072114
  1404. City of Flint
  1405. Steps to Prepare for Transition From Emergency Manager to Receivership Transition Advisory Board
  1406. City Counol Activity
  1407. * Council to receive quarterly reports from
  1408. Mayor/Fin. Director on progress of
  1409. achieving strategic objectives and
  1410. priorities
  1411. *
  1412. Compl etion of City Ordinance Review by
  1413. Council as proposed by EM
  1414. * Review Strategic Plan, FY16 Budget
  1415. * 6 mos. FY15 Budget
  1416. Review I Amendments
  1417. * Strategic Plan to be updated annually
  1418. * FY17 Budget Development
  1419. * Completion of MMl Level One Education
  1420. Award per EM Order 2
  1421. Five Year Financial Analysis
  1422. * City Council adopts 5 Year Analysis
  1423. *
  1424. Finance/Adm Cmte shall annually review
  1425. analysis in February each year and Send
  1426. to Council for approval
  1427. Issue outgoing EM Order
  1428.    
  1429. Target
  1430. 9/22/14
  1431. 9/22/14
  1432. 1/20/15
  1433. 1/20/15
  1434. 2/20/15
  1435. 2/20/15
  1436. 3/28/14
  1437. 6/1/14
  1438. 2/20/15
  1439. 4/8/2015
  1440. Completion
  1441. 10/13/2014
  1442. 6/1/2014
  1443. Page4
  1444. 7 pt. Trans. Plan#
  1445. 6
  1446. 3
  1447. 6/7
  1448. 6/7
  1449. 6
  1450. 7
  1451. 2
  1452. 2
  1453. 2
  1454. Comments
  1455. Transition Status Chart 072114
  1456. ~ ..- .:,
  1457. 7 Point Transition Management Plan
  1458. Goal: To provide a strategy for determining and evaluating relevant and spocific criteria for assessing wben the City ofFlint might be prepared to emerge from. Emergency
  1459. Manager (EM) oversight to a Transition Advisory Board (TAB), as provided in Public Act 436. The seven points identified provide comprehensive and well defined
  1460. benchmarks to be reviewed before the detemrin.ation is made. The Plan also defines a dab-driven illld measurable process for the objective, results--oriented dctamination
  1461. of filets. The Plan establishes the criteria now so that it is clear what the conditions are that will have to be satisfied before the Emergency Manager recommends the
  1462. es:tablishmcm of a Transjtion Advisory Board.
  1463. GOAL
  1464. L Deficit Elimmatil)n Plan
  1465. 2. Five-Year FiDtneial Analysis
  1466. STRATEGY
  1467. Deficit Elimination Plan and Reserve Accumulation
  1468. Plan will be presented by the EM/Mayor/Finance
  1469. Dir. to City Council h r ~ u   h its Finance Committee
  1470. to receive CollllCil support. Also a commitment by
  1471. the Mayor and Council to implement the plan will
  1472. be required.
  1473. OBJECTIVES
  1474. City Council to pass resolution of support for DEPIRAP from
  1475. EM/Mayor/Fin. Dir.
  1476. Receive Treasury acceptance of the DEPI.RAP.
  1477. Confirmation by Mayor and Council that DEPIRAP actiODS
  1478. will be a top priority in budgeting.
  1479. STATUS
  1480. X
  1481. X
  1482. X
  1483. EM/Mayor/Fin. Dir to liiiiiil2lly prepare a 5 yr. RJE projection. X
  1484. 3. Govern211ct
  1485. The development, mooitoring and updating of a five·
  1486. year financial analysis is critical to the ongoing
  1487. chailenges of financial solvency. It mnst remain an
  1488. ongoing process to measure the City' s ability to
  1489. fund services, produce budgets., and proactively
  1490. manage c:A-penditures. h should be an c:A-pectation
  1491. of the Council that the EM/Mayor/Fin. Dir. shall
  1492. annually prepare and Council shall rmew and
  1493. sdopt said projection; and shaD continue to use the
  1494. projection as a basis for future budgeting actions.
  1495. The EM will consider recommendations from the
  1496. Blue Ribbon Committee, National Civic League
  1497. Model Chatter, proposed. charter amendments,
  1498. review of electoral structure, Executive
  1499. appointments, ere. It is c:A-pected that a formal
  1500. agreement would be reached among the EM,
  1501. Mayor, and Council as to what governance
  1502. revisions are to be implemented, including time
  1503. frames for implcmCDllltion.
  1504. Council Finance Committee reviewS yr. analysis and move to
  1505. Council.
  1506. City Council adopts 5 Year Analysis.
  1507. Finance Committee shall annually review analysis in February
  1508. each year and send to Council for approval.
  1509. Blue Ribbon Cmte. Complete Report and Submit to EM
  1510. Mayor and Council Submit Comments on Report to EM
  1511. EM developes proposed governance structure and sends to
  1512. Govcmor.
  1513. Mayor and Council have an oppornmity to rmewand
  1514. comment on EM proposal.
  1515. Completion of City Ordinance review by Council as proposed
  1516. by EM.
  1517. X
  1518. X
  1519. X
  1520. X
  1521. X
  1522. 1.
  1523. GOAL
  1524. 4.. Organizatiou Development
  1525. 5. Legacy Costs
  1526. 6. Strategic Pl2.D
  1527. STRATEGY
  1528. Review the City's QI'ganizational stiUctnre
  1529. including: Public Safety, plan. courts
  1530. consolidation plan, recommendations on other long-
  1531.   and role of the city administrator
  1532. (who will be appointed prior to the TAB). Finalize
  1533. the QI'ganizational relationship among Mayor,
  1534. Administration and Council. This will result in an
  1535. agreed upon description of the roles and
  1536. responsibilities of the Mayor and Council, including
  1537. items such as respective roles in strategic plaJJlling.
  1538. budgeting. monitoring and assessment of results.,
  1539. appointments, and protoCOls for addressing citizen
  1540. complaints.
  1541. Retiree Health Care remains the biggest challenge
  1542. to managing legacy costs and the City is CUiral!Iy
  1543. facing a legal cballenge. It will be unlikely that the
  1544. financial emergency will be declared resolved Ull!il
  1545. this .issne is settled in a manner which does not risk
  1546. the solvency of the City. Sustaining the changes
  1547. within RHC are essential to the City's :futore
  1548. solvency.
  1549. The adoption of a long-range stxategic plan by the
  1550. Emagency Manager, Mayor, and Council for the
  1551. governing actions of the City will provide a
  1552. guidance mechanism for determining budgeting,
  1553. priorities, goals and objectives.
  1554. OBJECTIVES
  1555. EM/Mayor determines recommended City organizational
  1556. structure.
  1557. EM/Mayor to recommend Council aaion (ordinance changes)
  1558. to implement organizational structure.
  1559. Council to review and adopt organizational structure.
  1560. E.M/Mayor to hire City AdmirustratoriManager.
  1561. Finalize organization structore and roles: Mayor, Council,
  1562. Administration.
  1563. Labor contracts to be completed for all City tmions
  1564. Mayor and Council to support City's position on retiree health
  1565. care or adopt mcas= offsetting the increased costs.
  1566. Annual to include payment of approprillle pension and
  1567. health care costs and liabilities.
  1568. EM/Mayor/Fin. Dir. to present 5 yr S1l'lltegic Plan through
  1569. Finance Cmte. to Council for approval.
  1570. Council to set spending priorities.
  1571. EM/Mayor to utilize Strategic Plan 'to develop budget.
  1572. Council to adopt budget in line with Sttategic Plan and bud£et
  1573. priorities.
  1574. Council to xeceive qtlllrterly reports from Mayor/Fm. Dir.
  1575. progress of achieving strategic objectives and priorities.
  1576. Strategic Plan to be updated annually.
  1577. STATUS
  1578. X
  1579. X
  1580. X
  1581. X
  1582. X
  1583. X
  1584. 2..
  1585. -GOAL
  1586. 7. Sust:tinability
  1587. Origination Date: Februwy15. 2014
  1588. Revision Date: December 17, 2014
  1589. STRAlEGY
  1590. Factors for determining StlStainability are rooted in
  1591. the 7 points. More specificaily, the measures that
  1592. will be evaluated include: achievement of consensus
  1593. decision-making on the part of the Mayor and the
  1594. Council, adoption of best practices, continaing
  1595. commitment to training and development for the
  1596. Mayor and Council members, ongoing monitoring
  1597. and updating of plans necessary for the financial
  1598. stability of the City including but not limited to 2·
  1599. year budgets, 5-year financial analyses, and the
  1600. ongoing implementation of the. M3ster Plan.
  1601. OBJECTIVES
  1602. Council and Mayor update methods to develop policy
  1603. recommendations and achieving consensus.
  1604. Cotmcil and Mayor attend all training sessions as scheduled by
  1605. EM
  1606. Council and Mayor to actively participare in development and
  1607. adoption of 2 yr. budget.
  1608. Implement Master Plan (evidence of Master Plan
  1609. implementation in ammal budget).
  1610. Define and incotporate financial and organizational best
  1611. practices.
  1612. Implement system of perfo!DlliOce measurement.
  1613. Utilize data-driven methods of decision making and
  1614. pcrfODllallce measuremcrt.
  1615. STATUS
  1616. X
  1617. X
  1618. X
  1619. 3.
  1620. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  1621. From:
  1622. Sent:
  1623. To:
  1624. Subject:
  1625. Attachments:
  1626. fyi
  1627. From: Mcbride, Bill ( GOV)
  1628. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  1629. Friday, January 16, 2015 11:02 AM
  1630. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  1631. FW: HUD ANNOUNCEMENT- FUNT
  1632. CN Planning Grant Release-FUNT.docx
  1633. Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 10:58 AM
  1634. To: Scott, Allison (GOV)
  1635. Subject: HUD ANNOUNCEMENT-FLINT
  1636. Here is what I have found:
  1637. HUD will announce today that the City of Flint will receive a $500,000 planning grant to help revitalize and transform
  1638. distressed neighborhoods.
  1639. Nice to get the grant. MSHDA will be involved in this.
  1640. No need for the Governor to have been there for announcement or for all the drama involved in getting this information
  1641. from HUD!
  1642. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=FY14PGSummaries.pdf
  1643. 1
  1644.  
  1645. ..y
  1646. l * :1 EMBARGOED UNTIL 11:30 am ET
  1647. HUD NEWS
  1648. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development- Julian Castro, Secretary
  1649. Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20410
  1650. HUDRVNo. OJ
  1651. Gina Rodriguez
  1652. (312) 913-8332 I gina.rodriguez@hud.gov
  1653. http://www.hud.gov/ news/index.cfm
  1654. FOR RELEASE
  1655. Friday
  1656. January 16,2015
  1657. HUD AWARDS CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT IN FLINT
  1658. The City of Flint and partners will develop transformation plan for South Saginaw
  1659. WASHINGTON -Building on a commitment to help local communities redevelop distressed public or
  1660. assisted housing and transform neighborhoods, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian
  1661. Castro announced seven new Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant awards, including $500,000 to the City of
  1662. Flint. These awards will help grantees craft comprehensive, locally driven plans to revitalize and transform
  1663. di stressed neighborhoods. Part of the Obama Administration's effmt to build Ladders of Oppmtunity to the
  1664. middle class, HOD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative promotes a comprehensive approach to transforming
  1665. neighborhoods struggling to address the interconnected challenges of distressed housing, inadequate schools,
  1666. poor health, high crime, and lack of capital.
  1667. Secretary Castro made the announcement at the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, one of the
  1668. grantees that will use the funding to improve the Russell neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky.
  1669. "These Choice Neighborhood grants will spark the creation of community plans for progress," said
  1670. Castro. "We look fmward to working with local leaders to breathe new life into struggling neighborhoods,
  1671. transforming them into places where residents can flourish and dreams can thrive."
  1672. "We are fortunate to have a phenomenal interagency federal partnership through the White House
  1673. Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) working in lockstep with Fl int to effectuate change in the
  1674. Atherton East and the South Saginaw CotTidor; The Choice Neighborhood grant will help support our joint-effmts
  1675. and Transfmmation Plan" said Antonio R. Riley, BUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.
  1676. "Decades ago Flint made the mistake of putting its public housing in some of the most isolated parts of the city,
  1677. and now we're seeing the results - high crime, concentrated poverty, and limited economic opp01tunity. In just the past few
  1678. weeks, we've seen three murders at Athe1ton East. This grant gives us the opp01tunity to work hand in hand with the Flint
  1679. Housing Commission and residents to break the cycle and reconnect families to opportunity," said Mayor Dayne Walling.
  1680. The City of Flint and the Flint Housing Commission are partnering to address the historic challenges
  1681. facing the Athe1ton East public housing development and the surrounding community. The neighborhood
  1682. struggles with significant crime. These challenges are magnified as the pove1ty rate is nearly 40 percent.
  1683. Further, South Saginaw and the City are experiencing a declining population resulting in increased blight and
  1684. large tracts of vacant land.
  1685. However, the South Saginaw Corridor also has key assets. The City has recently completed its first
  1686. master plan si nce 1960 and has identified the South Saginaw Corridor as a priority area. Created in 2012, the
  1687. South Sagi naw Task Force has been instrumental in identifying oppmtunities for improvement within the
  1688. community. The Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan will serve as a detailed extension of the recently
  1689. established City Master Plan. These eff01ts will build on the comprehensive work unde1way through the federal
  1690. Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative - which aims to create new partnerships between federal agencies
  1691. and localities to spark economic development.
  1692. Read local summari es of the grants announced today.
  1693. Choice Neighborhoods is HUD' s signature place-based initiative and its vision builds on the work that
  1694. has been done by the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, an interagency pattnership between HUD, the
  1695. Depattment of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and
  1696. Treasmy, since 2009. Choice Neighborhoods also suppmts the Ladders of Opportunity plan, which will help
  1697. community partners rebuild neighborhoods, expand early learning oppmtunities, create pathways to jobs, and
  1698. strengthen fami lies. Choice Neighborhoods is focused on three core goals:
  1699.   Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that
  1700. is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.
  1701.   People: Improve educational outcomes and intergenerational mobility for youth with services and
  1702. suppmts delivered directly to youth and their families.
  1703.   Neighborhood: Create the conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed
  1704. neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities and assets, including safety, good schools, and
  1705. commercial activity, that are impmtant to families' choices about their community.
  1706. HUD's commitment to teamwork means local residents and leaders are leading the way in revitalizing
  1707. their communities. In order to develop a plan that meets the core goals of Choice neighborhoods, broad civic
  1708. engagement will be needed. Local leaders, residents, and stakeholders, such as public housing authorities,
  1709. cities, schools, police, business owners, nonprofits, and private developers come together to create a plan that
  1710. transforms distressed HUD housing and addresses the challenges in the surrounding neighborhood. This
  1711. Transformation Plan is the guiding document for the revitalization of the public and/or assisted housing units,
  1712. while simultaneously directing the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for
  1713. families.
  1714. ###
  1715. HUD 's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
  1716. HUD is workh1g to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need
  1717. for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive
  1718. and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More
  1719. information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also
  1720. follotv HUD on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or sign up for news alerts on HUD 's Email List.
  1721. From: Murray, David (GOV)
  1722. Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2015 5:15 PM
  1723. To: Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Snyder, Rick (G
  1724. <Wurfels@michigan.gov>; Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  1725. Subject: Background information and draft press releases for Tueday water event in Flint
  1726. Good afternoon Governor,
  1727. urfel, Sara (GOV)
  1728. Here is background on the planned Tuesday event in Flint regarding the $2 million Distressed Cities grant and other
  1729. issues connected to the water situation.
  1730. There are plans for two press releases on Tuesday. The first will detail t he two Flint.grants and will be released by t he
  1731. governor's communications office. The other release, which would detail t he other grants, would follow from Treasury
  1732. with a quote. Both drafts are attached, and we are considering approaching t he Flint mayor or emergency manager to
  1733. contri bute a quote.
  1734. Mayor Walling has agreed to speak at the event, with Harvey Hollins and Dan Wyant representing the administration.
  1735. Sen. Ananich has asked to speak, and it has been suggested that Rep. Neeley would speak and it might be better to add
  1736. him to the program. others, such as Deputy Director Workman and Emergency Manager Ambrose, would be present
  1737. and available.
  1738. The attached document includes details about the planned event, as well as background on the grants from Treasury
  1739. and on the entire water issue from DEQ as well as Mayor Wall ing's Facebook post and links to t he stories in t he media
  1740. about the issue.
  1741. We have a room reserved and are working with the communications team in Flint to have microphones and other items
  1742. needed f or t he event.
  1743. Please let me know If there is any information you think should also be included, or anything that should be changed.
  1744. Thank you very much,
  1745. Dave Murray
  1746. Dave Murray
  1747. Deputy Press Secretary I Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder
  1748. MurrayDl @mlchlgan.gov
  1749. iiiiiiiiiiliii.
  1750. 1
  1751. Twitter:@mlchlgandmurray
  1752. 2
  1753. Briefing: Grant announcement in Flint
  1754. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, 3-4 p.m.
  1755. Haskell Community Center, 2201 Forest Hills Ave. Flint
  1756. Governor's communications: Dave Murray,        
  1757. DEQ communications: Brad Wurfel, wurfelb@michigan.gov,
  1758. Treasury communications: Terry Stanton, stantont@michlgan.gov,
  1759. Purpose
  1760. The state government is providing support for the Flint government as it addresses issues with its water
  1761. system. The state on Tuesday is announcing that Flint is receiving two grants totaling $2 mill ion related
  1762. to water system improvements through the Financially Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships grant
  1763. program. DEQ Director Dan Wyant will address ongoing efforts with his agency to test Flint water and
  1764. explain why the city is facing some of its problems. Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Fiint, will
  1765. discuss his appreciation for the ongoing support for the city and its residents.
  1766. Attending
  1767. • Harvey Hollins, director of the Michigan Office of Urban Initiatives
  1768. • Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
  1769. • Wayne Workman, deputy treasurer, Michigan Department ofTreasury
  1770. • Jerry Ambrose, Flint emergency manager
  1771. • Dayne Walling, Fli nt mayor
  1772. • State Sen. Jim Ananich
  1773. • State Rep. Sheldon Neeley
  1774. • State Rep. Phil Phelps
  1775. Agenda
  1776. 3:00 PM- 3:05 PM:
  1777. 3:05 PM -3:10 PM:
  1778. 3:10 PM - 3:15 PM:
  1779. 3:15 PM- 3:20 PM:
  1780. 3:20 PM- 3:25 PM:
  1781. 3:25 PM-3:35PM:
  1782. 3:35PM
  1783. Background
  1784. Harvey Hollins announces that Flint has received two grants totaling $2 million.
  1785. Dan Wyant discusses the state's ongoing role in monitoring Flint's water and
  1786. any assistance that has been provided and will continue to be provided .
  1787. . Mayor Dayne Walling remarks about appreciation for state assistance.
  1788. Sen. Jim Ananich remarks about appreciation for state assistance.
  1789. Rep. Neeley remarks.
  1790. Harvey Hollins closing remarks, opens f loor to media questions.
  1791. Event ends, though this might be optimistic.
  1792. • The quality of Flint water has been a high-profile concern in recent weeks, with residents
  1793. complaining about the color, taste and smell of tap water since a switch to Flint River water as a
  1794. temporary source as a pipeline is built to Lake Huron as a water source starting in 2016.
  1795. o Residents have attended meetings with jugs of brownish water.
  1796. o U.S. l<ildee has worked with labor and community groups to distribute bottled water.
  1797. II Mayor Walling has issued a letter (included below) calling for state and federal assistance for the
  1798. city, including forgiveness of some $20 million in debt through the Drinking Water Revolving
  1799. Loan Fund and calling for the governor to come to Fl int personally.
  1800. o Walling also submitted a guest column to the Flint Journal with similar requests.
  1801. • He said the loan forgiveness is needed for the city to upgrade· its water
  1802. treatment process.
  1803. o Governor and Mayor Walling had a telephone conversation on Friday, and the mayor
  1804. has pledged to work together on solutions.
  1805. • Rep. Sheldon Neeley also has sent the governor a letter, saying that his constituents
  1806. 11
  1807. are on the
  1808. verge of civil unrest."
  1809. • The Department of Environmental Quality has been monitoring the water situation, with a
  1810. detailed backgrounder and talking points attached below.
  1811. • The Treasury Department is announcing Tuesday that Flint is among the cities receiving a
  1812. combined $8 million the Financially Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships grant program.
  1813. o The announcement of the other grants will follow the Fl int announcement.
  1814. • The Flint grants are $1.1 million to allow the city to replace the functions of the
  1815. old incinerator with new water pollution control facility allowing for the disposal
  1816. of waste to landfills.
  1817. • The other is $900,000 to allow the city to hire a contractor to perform a leak
  1818. detection survey, which wi ll lead to prioritizing repairs.
  1819. o A breakdown of the grants is included below.
  1820. Treasury breakdown of Flint grants
  1821. Flint Incinerator: The grant project entails shutting down the current Water Pollution Control Facility
  1822. Incinerator (due to the   not being up to new EPA standards). In order to meet EPA standards,
  1823. it would cost roughly $8.8M in upgrades to the current incinerator. The grant funding will allow them to
  1824. replace the functions of the old incinerator by constructing new facilities which will allow for the
  1825. disposal of waste to landfil ls.
  1826. Budget Breakdown
  1827. Construction Contractor
  1828. Project Management
  1829. Total
  1830. $1,050,000
  1831. $50,000
  1832. $1,100,000
  1833. Flint Leak Detection: The grant proj ect will allow the city to hire a contractor to perform a leak detection
  1834. survey of the city water lines. The city wil l receive a map of leak locations and an assessment of leak
  1835. severity. This data will allow t he city t o leak repair. The project also covers the expense of
  1836. conducting a water pipe line w_all thickness condit ion assessment on a portion of the city's pipes. The
  1837. assessment will guide the city's water main replacement program.
  1838. Budget Breakdown
  1839. Proj ect Planning
  1840. Mobilization of Crew to Site
  1841. Leak Detection < 16" diameter
  1842. $90,000
  1843. $27,000
  1844. $378,000
  1845. Leak Detection 16" diamet er or >
  1846. Pipe Condition Assessments
  1847. Total
  1848. DEQ baclcgrounder on Flint water
  1849. $270,000
  1850. $135,000
  1851. $900,000
  1852. Following the formal approval of Flint into the KWA in 2012, DWSD sent Flint a letter saying their
  1853. contract was t hereby terminated (by early 2013).
  1854. Genesee County has been using DWSD water without a contract since May 2014. But Flint took the
  1855. letter to imply a water cutoff, and prompt ly turned to DEQ with a proposal to use the Flint River (their
  1856. historic backup syst em).
  1857. This proposed shift was pitched primarily as a money saver. But it put the city in t he business of water
  1858. production, where they historically had been in the business of water transmission. DEQ approved the
  1859. use of the river as a source, based on the treatment plant's past performance as a standby f acility and
  1860. the improvements we outlined prior to a switchover.
  1861. Several municipalities around the state use surface water supplies (rivers): Blissfield near Monroe,
  1862. Manistique, and Alma to name a f ew.
  1863. The city completed t he upgrades at the water plant the facilit y and DEQ approved it April 2014.
  1864. There were some initial hiccups. Last summer, there were a couple of 'boil water' notices issued. One
  1865. for a water test that showed e. coli, one for a break in the water main.
  1866. The chall enge to using the Flint River as a source is t hat the condition of the water Is variable and
  1867. changes with season and weather. It has substant ially more organi c matter than deep lake sources like
  1868. Lake Huron. This organic matter is mobilized by high water events, and warm weather also can account
  1869. for more organic material in the water.
  1870. The t reatment of the organi c matter is done with chlorine. One might conclude that t he continual
  1871. answer is just to use more chlorine to achieve wat er safety. However, at some point on the continuum,
  1872. the chlorine and organic matter create TTHM - total trihalomethanes- as a byproduct. When the
  1873. standard for those is exceeded over several consecutive quarters of testing, the supply is required by
  1874. law to issue public notice and submit an approved plan for addressing the situation.
  1875. You'll note that this regulatory approach means TTHM testing is done quarterly. That means people who
  1876. use the syst em are exposed to TIHM for several months before t he public noti ce is required. It's
  1877. because TTHM is a chronic health threat. Over the long term (measured in decades), continued
  1878. exposure can contribute to some known health problems. If this were an immediat e health threat,
  1879. customers would receive immediate notification to boil their wat er or not use it.
  1880. Put in context , the EPA (which established the standard and the rul e) estimates the existence of the
  1881. TIHM standard prevents an estimated 280 bladder cancer cases each year ... out of more t han 330
  1882. million people who use public water supplies around the country.
  1883. It's not "nothing." State and federal law requires quarterly testing f or TTHM and that the public be
  1884. informed of it when the annual average of four quarters' worth of consecutive testing shows TIHM.
  1885. levels exceeding 80 parts per billion. Flint's results managed to exceed the annual average in three
  1886. quarters, and they must develop a plan to address it.
  1887. But it's not like an eminent threat t o public health. Unlike an e. Col i or even t otal coli form bacteria
  1888. maxi mum contaminant level, which require immediate public notificat ion and response and are part of
  1889. dai ly I hourly testing of public water supplies, TIHMs pose a public health concern wit h chronic, long-
  1890. term exposure.
  1891. It's clear t he nature of the threat was communicated poorl y. It's also cl ear that folks in Flint are
  1892. concerned about other aspects of thei r water - taste, smell and color being among the t op complaints.
  1893. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires public water supplies be tested for more than 90 regulated
  1894. contaminants, including microbial contaminants. The act, and the program here in Michigan, work to
  1895. ensure that water is safe to drink. The act does not regulate aesthetic values of water. Here are some
  1896. factors affecting the aesthetics of wat er in Flint.
  1897. 1. It's the Flint River. The water supplied by DWSD historically came from Lake Huron. It's softer.
  1898. With hard water, you get a different flavor and feel. It's why General Motors suspended use of
  1899. Flint Water- it was rusti ng their parts. Also, there's the 'organics' f actor (discussed previously).
  1900. 2. The syst em is old. Flint has more than 500 miles of water pipes. More than half of those pipe
  1901. miles are more than 75 years old. Much of it is cast iron. Hard water can react with cast iron and
  1902. exacerbates the rusty factor, which creates that brown water that angry residents were holding
  1903. up in jugs for the media cameras last week. Valve failure has also been a key chall enge. The
  1904. system has an estimated 7,500+ valves. When they stick open or stick shut, it affects the
  1905. hydrauli cs ofthe system and increase areas of stagnation. The ci ty has a backlog of valves that
  1906. need to be addressed. They've done half a dozen or so si nce November.
  1907. 3. Flint is old. Many of the homes served by the system are old. Brown water complai nts may also
  1908. be attributabl e to cast Iron pipes in customers' service connection to t he city lines. The DEQ has
  1909. been encouraging people with water coloration concerns to contact the city and see whether it
  1910. is t he service line or the City's line causing the issue. Again, discoloration is not an indicator of
  1911. water quality or water safety, but we recognize that nobody li kes it.
  1912. In summary, the City of Flint has tremendous need t o address Its water delivery system. We are not
  1913. aware that t hey have any capital improvement funds for preventative maintenance in pl ace, much less
  1914. line replacement project monies that will require hundreds of millions.
  1915. The City was approved for a Revolving Fund loan in 2008 or 2009. As a Distressed Community, t hey
  1916. qualified for fl exible t erms and 2 percent interest rate Revolvi ng Fund Loan. After t hey were notified
  1917. they were approved for the loan, t hey declined it. Previous SRF loans from the stat e to Flint bear an
  1918. outstanding balance of $20.7 million t oday.
  1919. The DEQ continues working with the city to address the TIHM issue. They can take interim steps- from
  1920. scrubbing the insides oftransmission li nes t o carefully monitoring the hydraulic challenges in their
  1921. system - to address customers' concerns. Their TIHM numbers already are .showing dramatic
  1922. improvement; the November t esting showed only one of seven sample points exceedi ng t he standard.
  1923. The l<ey now is t hat the standard is an average of three quarters' worth of results. It will be some time
  1924. before they are officially " not in violation." However, depending on weather in 2015, it ' s not
  1925. unforeseeable that we will be having this conversation again by next Christmas.
  1926. The key to the conversation is that TIHM is not a top henlth concern. That's key because residents need
  1927. to understand TTHM in context, and it is i<ey because it appears the mayor has seized on the public
  1928. panic (sparked, frankly, by their poor communication of the violation notice) to ask the state for loan
  1929. forgiveness and more money for their infrastructure improvement.
  1930. Another key thing to remember is that once the city connects to the new I<WA system in 2016, this issue
  1931. will fade in t he rearview.
  1932. I<ev messages:
  1933. 1. The DEQ Drinking Water program works with communities around the state to ensure t hat
  1934. municipalities provide customers with clean, safe drinking water. ·
  1935. 2. Municipal water supplies are tested rigorous.ly and regularly for more than 90 regulated
  1936. contaminants, i ncluding microbial contaminants that pose an immediate public health concern.
  1937. 3. Flint's exceedance of the TIHM standard should reassure residents that the testi ng program is
  1938. effective.
  1939. 4. TIHM is not an immediate health threat. It is a chronic concern, one that can be problematic
  1940. over the course of several decades of exposure. The public was notified because the law
  1941. requi res the city to make publ ic notification, so that everyone can make informed decisions. This
  1942. is particularly true for people with infants or those with compromised immune systems.
  1943. 5. The DEQ Is working with the City to address the situation. Recent tests show the TIHM numbers
  1944. dropping rapidly. The department will continue working with the city in the months ahead, and
  1945. residents should feel confident that their water is safe to drink unless the DEQ or City notifies
  1946. them otherwise.
  1947. 6. The discoloration and odor issues some Flint residents are experiencing are separate issues from
  1948. the TIHM issue. TTHM is odorless, colorless and measured in parts per billion.
  1949. 7. Flint water customers who have questions or concerns about their water should first contact the
  1950. city to get answers and help. They also can contact the Michigan DEQ.
  1951. Mayor Walling's Facebool< post
  1952. Friend,
  1953. Access to clean, safe, affordable water is a basic human right.
  1954. That's why I just sent Gov. Snyder my Flint Water improvement Plan. It focuses on the areas of safety,
  1955. quality, access, investment and education. My letter urges the governor to quickly implement these
  1956. ideas so that Flint's water is 100% safe.
  1957. Please contact Gov. Snyder by calling (517) 335-6397 (or by clicking here) and ask him to take action
  1958. immediately to implement my plan and ensure Flint's water is safe.
  1959. My plan offers new ideas and also builds on successful models of utility, energy and assistance programs
  1960. at the state and federal levels. Here is my plan:
  1961. Safety & Quality
  1962. • 100% Safety is the standard
  1963. " City of Flint releases testing data to assure safety and expands testing to households with
  1964. support from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
  1965. • Support alternatives for those advised not to drink the water by their doctors through the
  1966. Michigan Health Endowment Fund and community partners to protect the vulnerable like
  1967. seniors and infants
  1968. • Bring on experienced river water treatment operational management in the City of Flint
  1969. • Require water testing data to be released quarterly by law in all Michigan communities
  1970. Access
  1971. • Announce an amnesty program for turn-ons and reduce the turn-on cost in Flint
  1972. • Develop a revised payment plan policy to allow customers to come back on to the Flint system
  1973. • New Federal and State partnership to establish new Drinking Water Emergency Assistance Fund
  1974. for cust omers (modeled on Federal and State energy utility programs: Low Income Home Energy
  1975. Assistance Program; Michigan Energy Assistance Program; State Emergency Relief)
  1976. Investment
  1977. • Accelerate water system improvements outlined in the City of Flint Capital Improvement Plan
  1978. through Federal and State Investments ·
  1979. • State approves City of Flint's Distressed Cities Fund applications
  1980. • Federal and Stat e forgiveness of payment to Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund
  1981. • Federal and State financing for future improvements
  1982. • City Water Department implements budgeted FY15 projects including leak detection, valve
  1983. repairs, new pipes and meter replacements
  1984. Education
  1985. • Develop a community partnership to provide household and business cust omers with
  1986. information on testing and conservation
  1987. • Ongoing partnership with Michigan Department of Human Services, United Way, Salvation Army
  1988. and community organizations to provide information on water assistance
  1989. • Expand youth energy initiative to assist households with conservation and efficiency (piloted in
  1990. summer 2014 with Northwestern High School students, EcoWorks and Consumers Energy)
  1991. The struggle with our water has gone on for too long. The state must t ake action and do its part. Please
  1992. ask Gov. Snyder to take action immediately to implement my plan and ensure Flint's water is safe. Thank
  1993. you for your ongoing support.
  1994. Links to coverage
  1995. • Mayor, governor have 'long, productive' talk about Flint's water problems, Jan. 30
  1996. • 2,000 more gallons of water headed to Flint for giveaway, Jan. 30, 2015
  1997. • Flint emergency manager says there are two big reasons not to reconnect Detroit water, Jan. 29
  1998. • Flint Democracy Defense League plans four meetings on city's water problems, Jan. 29
  1999. • Environmentalist sends out new warnings about Flint water, NBC, Jan. 27
  2000. • Erin Brockovlch says on Facebool< she's prepared to come to Flint. Mlive, Jan. 27
  2001. • Mott Community College not waiting for Flint to ensure safe water, Mlive, Jan. 26
  2002. • Detroit water chief says she's willing to sell emergency water to Flint-- no strings attached, Jan.
  2003. 26
  2004. • Mayor says governor needs to visit Flint to see water crisis first hand, Mlive, Jan. 26
  2005. • Need water? Flint groups collect 600 cases, plan distribution this week, Mlive, Jan. 26
  2006. Iii Incoming Flint water expert would have 'continual oversight' until new pipeline connected, Jan.
  2007. 25
  2008. II Looking back at Flint's water problems (photo gallery), Mlive, Jan. 25
  2009. ·• Flint water problems: Switch aimed to save $5 million-- but at what cost?, Mlive, Jan. 23
  2010. • State says its already 'working diligently' on Flint's water problems, Mlive, Jan. 22
  2011. • Officials say Flint water is getting better, but many residents unsatisfied, Mlive, Jan. 21
  2012. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2013. From:
  2014. Sent:
  2015. To:
  2016. Cc:
  2017. Subject:
  2018. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2019. Thursday, April 30, 2015 5:43 PM
  2020. Calley, Brian (GOV)
  2021. Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Scott, Allison (GOV); Agen, Jan·od
  2022. (GOV); Wurfel, Sara (GOV)
  2023. Re: City of Flint Mayor issue
  2024. May want to consider giving this issue to Ananich.
  2025. Thanks
  2026. Rick
  2027. Sent from my iPad
  2028. >On Apr 30, 2015, at 5:41PM, Calley, Brian {GOV)
  2029. >
  2030. >This is a big enough problem that we might want to consider changing state law- at least to allow for a primary
  2031. election for write-ins. Too much progress has been made in Flint to let it go to this guy.
  2032. >
  2033. >
  2034. >
  2035. »On Apr 30, 2015, at 5:28PM, Clement, Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov> wrote:
  2036. >>
  2037. >> Governor,
  2038. >>
  2039. »Mike Senyko from Ruth Johnson's office just called me to let me know of a f ili ng deadline issue in the city of Flint. The
  2040. city clerk erroneously informed candidates that the filing deadline for the mayoral election was April 28th when it was
  2041. actually the 21st. Mayor Dayne Walling filed on the 28th and will therefore not be on the ballot. Eric Mays, the Flint city
  2042. councilman who was jailed last year and has been very problematic to both our EM and secure cities efforts, is the only
  2043. candidate who filed by the April 21st deadline. Mike Senyko indicated that since there is only one candidate on the
  2044. ballot, there will not be a primary election that Mayor Walling can do a write in campaign for so his only option is a write
  2045. i n campaign for the general. Mike was not sure if Mayor Walling had been informed yet but he expects the news to
  2046. break this evening. There is no provision in state law that allows for a situation like this to be rectified. Please let me
  2047. know if you have any questions.
  2048. >>
  2049. »Thanks,
  2050. >>
  2051. »Beth
  2052. >>
  2053. >>
  2054. >>
  2055. 1
  2056. Snyder, Riel< (GOV)
  2057. From:
  2058. Sent:
  2059. To:
  2060. Cc:
  2061. Subject:
  2062. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2063. Thursday, June 11, 2015 8:33 AM
  2064. Etue, Kriste (MSP)
  2065. Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV)
  2066. Re: MSP bike patrols make their debut in Flint this week
  2067. Glad to see it. Good work. Let me know how things are going in the our cities. Hopefully, we won' t have significant
  2068. summer issues.
  2069. Also, thanks for the good work with the sexual assault summit. Seemed to go very well.
  2070. Thanks
  2071. Rick
  2072. Sent from my iPad
  2073. >On Jun 10, 2015, at 9:46 PM, Etue, Kriste (MSP) <EtueK@michigan.gov> wrote:
  2074. >
  2075. >Governor:
  2076. >
  2077. > I think you will like thi s new approach for the summer ...
  2078. >
  2079. > http://www .a bc12 .com/home/head I i nes/Bike-patro Is-make-their -de but-i n-Fii nt -this-week-
  2080. 306705041.html?device=phone&c=y
  2081. >
  2082. >
  2083. >Sent from my iPhone
  2084. 1
  2085. -----Original Message-----
  2086. From: Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  2087. Sent: Saturday, Septem
  2088. To: Snyder, Rick (
  2089. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@m n.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth {GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>;
  2090. Agen, Jarrod {GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Clayton, Stacie (GOV) .<claytons3@michigan.gov>
  2091. Subject: Re: Flint Water Filters
  2092. Governor, it went over extremely well with the residents. There is a demand for more.
  2093. Best,
  2094. Harvey
  2095. >On Sep 5, 2015, at 2:00PM, Snyder, Rick (
  2096. >
  2097. > Factually accurate update; but how did it go over with t he residents?
  2098. >
  2099. >Thanks
  2100. >Rick
  2101. >
  2102. rote:
  2103. »On Sep 2, 2015, at 3:13 PM, Hollins, Harvey {GOV) <hollinsh@michigan.gov> wrote:
  2104. »
  2105. »As you   n o ~ donated 1500 kitchen water fi lters for Flint residents as a way of providing added
  2106. comfort amid concerns about Flmt's water quality o not want any publicity or credit for the
  2107. donation.
  2108. »
  2109. » The filters were delivered to the Concerned Pastors organization, who held an event yesterday to give away the
  2110. f ilters. Residents were invited t o come to a central location to pick up their filter. The Concerned Pastors targeted low
  2111. income Flint residents.
  2112. »
  2113. »More than 1500 households showed up yesterday to pick up a filter; the Concerned Pastors exhausted the donated
  2114. supply in 4 hours with 200 people still waiting to get a filter.
  2115. »
  2116. » Best,
  2117. » Harvey
  2118. >
  2119. 1
  2120. -----Original Message-----
  2121. From: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2122. Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2015 2:00PM
  2123. To: Hollins, Harvey (GOV) <holl insh@michigan.gov>
  2124. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>;
  2125. Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Clayton, Stacie (GOV) <claytons3@michigan.gov> ·
  2126. Subject: Re: Fli nt Water Filters
  2127. Factually accurate update; but how did it go over with the residents?
  2128. Thanks
  2129. Rick
  2130. >On Sep 2, 2015, at 3:13 PM, Holl ins, Harvey (GOV) <hollinsh@michigan.gov> wrote:
  2131. >
  2132. >As you   1500 kitchen water filters for Flint residents as a way of providing added
  2133. comfort amid concerns about Flint' s water quality. not want any publicity or credit for the
  2134. don<ltion.
  2135. >
  2136. > The filters were delivered to the Concerned Pastors organization, who held an event yesterday to give away t he fi lters.
  2137. Residents were invited to come to a central location to pick up their filter. The Concerned Pastors targeted low income
  2138. Fli nt residents.
  2139. >
  2140. >More than 1500 households showed up yesterday to pick up a fi lter; the Concerned Pastors exhausted the donated
  2141. supply i n 4 hours with 200 people sti ll waiting to get a f ilter.
  2142. >
  2143. >Best,
  2144. > Harvey
  2145. 1
  2146. Scott, Allison {GOV)
  2147. From:
  2148. Sent:
  2149. To:
  2150. Cc:
  2151. Subject:
  2152. Attachments:
  2153. Importance:
  2154. Tom/Wayne:
  2155. Cline, Richard (Treasury)
  2156. Wednesday, September 16, 2015 3:13PM
  2157. Saxton, Thomas (Treasury); Workman, Wayne (TREASURY)
  2158. Dempkowski, Angela {Treasury)
  2159. Updated Summary of September 15 Conference Call
  2160. Summary of September 15 Conference Call.docx; Utilities Update 9_16_15-2.pdf
  2161. High
  2162. Attached, per your request, is an updated summary ofthe September 15 call with the City of Flint plus an update on
  2163. utility upgrades, provided by the City.
  2164. If you need anything further, let me know.
  2165. Eric Cline I Department Manager
  2166. State of Michigan 1 Michigan Department of Treasury 1 Office of Fiscal Responsibility
  2167. 430 W.lillegan Street, 3rd Floor Lansing, MI 48922
  2168. Lansing Office (517) 335-2078 I City Office (231) 922-5228
  2169. E-mail cliner l@michigan.gov
  2170. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and ;wy attacl!ments, is for the sole use of tl1e intended recipient(s) and may contain
  2171. infonnatio11 that is confidential and protected fmm disclosure u11der the Jaw. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or disfl·ibution
  2172. is pmllibiled.l! you are not the ill tended l'ecipienf, please contact the sender by reply e-mail, and delete/destroy all copies of the
  2173. original message and attachments Thank you.
  2174. 1
  2175. City of Flint
  2176. Water Quality Update
  2177. Wednesday September 16TH, 2015
  2178. GAC Installation
  2179. What: $1,601,740 contract with LAN to design and install new fi lter media at the Water Plant
  2180. Status: Complete
  2181. Leak Detection
  2182. What: $900,000 Treasury Distressed Citv Grant for Leak Detection I Pipe Wall Assessment
  2183. Status: In Progress
  2184. The vendor "echologics" is nearly 1/3 complete with the leak detection
  2185. WPC Incinerator Shutdown
  2186. What: $1,100,000 Treasury Distressed Citv Grant for WPC Incinerator Shutdown
  2187. Status: In construction phase
  2188. The walls are nearly done being erected.
  2189. Next steps: Construction of the walls.
  2190. Water Meter Installation
  2191. What: $5,000,000 contract to purchase and install up to 18,000 water meters.
  2192. Status: In progress
  2193. The vendor has established a good routine and has installed approximately 3000 of the targeted
  2194. 9000 meters have been installed
  2195. Installers are facing more resistance from customers about the change outs 3     people are
  2196. refusing the installation.
  2197. Small jumpers were added to the installation to protect plastic meters going in place of metal to
  2198. protect electronics within the household.
  2199. The main focus of this contract was the $2,500,000 on the front end to complete the targeted
  2200. 9000 meter installation. Thi s was an FY15 expenditure.
  2201. Next steps: Continue with the progress.
  2202. Summary: Conference Call with City of Flint
  2203. September 15, 2015
  2204. Participating: Tom Saxton, Wayne Worlanan, Fred Headen, Eric Cline, Mayor Walling, City
  2205. Administrator Natasha Henderson, Finance Director Jody Lundquist, City Attorney Pete Bade, Assistant
  2206. City Attorney Tony Chubb
  2207. • The City of Flint is involved in two lawsuits regarding water and sewer rates: Kincaid and Shears.
  2208. o It was stTessed that the Shears and Kincaid lawsuits are both separate but are being litigated
  2209. concurrently and that any developments mutually impact both suits.
  2210. • It was noted that in the opinion of the City, both cases will continue to be litigated for some time due
  2211. to the complexity of the issues involved.
  2212. • In a related matter, the City Attorney noted that the Water Coalition lawsuit to force the City to
  2213. purchase water from the City of Detroit was dismissed in Genesee County Circuit Comt.
  2214. Shears Lawsuit
  2215. • Shears was decided by the Genesee County Circuit Comt by a non-final order on August 17, 2015.
  2216. o Among other things, the Court enjoined City officials from any longer imposing a 3 5 percent
  2217. increase in water and sewer rates; fi:om disconnecting water or sewer service due to
  2218. delinquent bills, dating back to September 16, 2011; and fi·om placing liens on property due
  2219. to delinquent bills, dating back to September 16, 2011.
  2220. o City officials have filed an appeal with the Michigan Comt of Appeals seeking, an1ong other
  2221. things, a stay of the Genesee County Circuit Comt injunction.
  2222. o In the interim, City officials are complying with the Comt's order in Shears.
  2223. • The City's appeal is still being considered by the Comt. No timeline for a decision is known.
  2224. Kincaid Lawsuit
  2225. • Kincaid was decided by the Michigan Comt of Appeals on June 11, 2015.
  2226. o The Comt held that a 35 percent increase in water and sewer rates imposed by City officials
  2227. on September 16, 2011, violated the City charter and that Emergency Manager Mike Brown
  2228. had no statutory authority to later ratify those rate increases in May of2012.
  2229. o The Court of Appeals remanded the case to Genesee County Circuit Court.
  2230. o City officials intended to appeal this decision to the Michigan Supreme Couti, but missed the
  2231. filing deadline by one day.
  2232. • The City Attorney stated that litigation of this case must continue because some key issues have yet
  2233. to be resolved, including:
  2234. o The exact damages have not been clarified.
  2235. o The issue of who has standing in this case remains umesolved.
  2236. Summa1·y: Conference Call with City ofFlint
  2237. September 15, 2015
  2238. Financial Impacts
  2239. • City officials estimate that nullification of the 35 percent increase in water and sewer rates is costing
  2240. approximately $600K/month. Therefore, if the Comi orders either refunds or credits against future
  2241. water and sewer bills retroactive to September 16, 2011, the cost is estimated to be approximately
  2242. $30M.
  2243. o The Finance Director noted that since September 2011, the system has had a declining
  2244. number of users, so the total potential refund is higher than basing calculations from the
  2245. cun·ent number of users.
  2246. o The City Administrator stated that the City has not developed a plan to issue a refund of this
  2247. size because the City lacks sufficient funds to do so and they would be unable to operate at
  2248. this point.
  2249. • The City Administrator noted that citizens are paying the latest monthly billing but that the City
  2250. must contend with lower revenues for the foreseeable future.
  2251. • In addition, it was noted that if the City has to refund the Ready-to-Serve charge from September
  2252. 2011 through July 1, 2015, that this amount is approximately $10M.
  2253. • It was noted that the amotmt of delinquent funds owed to the City that are over 30 days old has
  2254. grown :fi·om $7.8M to $8.4M since the mling in the Shears Lawsuit.
  2255. o Fmther, the City Administrator stated that because the City is prohibited from shutting off
  2256. service for non-payment, the amount of delinquent funds is expected to continue to grow.
  2257. • In addition, the City Administrator noted that the measures taken to reserve funds within the system
  2258. to address the financial issues has delayed needed capital improvements, which further exacerbates
  2259. the problems within the system, but the City cannot address these capital needs without additional
  2260. revenue.
  2261. !·!
  2262. • The City Administrator further stressed the impmiance of the State assistance sought by the Mayor
  2263. in his September 14, 2015, letter to the Governor.
  2264. o The Mayor requested $30M for infrastructure and capital impmvements related to the City's
  2265. water and sewe1· system.
  2266. o It was stressed by Treasmy that existing funding options were very limited and we were not
  2267. aware of anything short of a legislative appropriation.
  2268. • State funding ofthe City's $30M request will likely invite requests from many other
  2269. communities with similar needs.
  2270. • The State recently awarded the City $2M in Distressed Cities grant funds to
  2271. implement improvements to their system.
  2272. • The State further provided the City with an additional $2M in relief for outstanding
  2273. SRF/DWRF loans.
  2274. • Treasury is npt aware of any cunent Flint projects related to their water quality issues
  2275. that could be fimded through the DWRF program and DEQ is responsible for
  2276. managing DWRF eligible projects.
  2277. -----Original Message-----
  2278. From: Muchmore, Dennis {GOV)
  2279. Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 10:29 AM
  2280. To: Snyder, Riel< {GOV) lley, Brian {G
  2281. Cc: Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Agen, Jarrod (
  2282. Subject: Flint water
  2283. The issue of Flint water and its quality continues to be a challenging topic. The switch over to use Flint river wat er has
  2284. spurred most of the controversy and contention. The DEQ and DCH feel that some in Flint are taking t he very sensitive
  2285. issue of chil dren's exposure t o lead and trying to turn it into a political football claiming the departments are
  2286. underestimating the impacts on the populations and particularly trying t o shift responsibility t o the state.
  2287. We have put an incredible amount of t ime and effort Into this issue because of the impacted neighbors and their
  2288. children, and the I<WA/DWSD controversy and Dillon's involvement in the f inal decision. Kildee is asking for a call wi t h
  2289. you. That's t ricky because he's sure to use it publicly, but if you don't tall< wi th him it will j ust fan the narrative that the
  2290. state is ducking responsibility. I can't figure out why t he state is responsible except t hat Dillon did mai<e the ult imate
  2291. decision so we're not able to avoid the subject.
  2292. The real responsibility rests with the County, city and I<WA, but since the issue here is the health of citizens and their
  2293. children we're taking a pro-active approach putting DHHS out there as an educat or.
  2294. I'm not sure how much background you need on all this so I do.n't want to flood you with st uff. Jarrod and Dave have a
  2295. lot of info that we can suppl ement your understanding and we can put a brief ing or face to face wit h Wyant and Lyon if
  2296. you want to go t here.
  2297. Sent from my iPhone
  2298. 1
  2299. -----0 rigi na I Message-----
  2300. From: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  2301. Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 8:47 PM
  2302. To: Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2303. Cc: Mcbride, Bill (GOV) <mcbrideb@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth <c
  2304. (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Emmitt, Beth (GOV) <emmittb@michigan.gov>
  2305. Subject: Re: Flint water
  2306. We're collecting the information tonight and will send tomorrow.
  2307. Sent from my iPhone
  2308. > On Sep 25, 2015, at 3:44PM, Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michlgan.gov> wrote:
  2309. >
  2310. >governor spoke with Ananich this afternoon
  2311. >
  2312. >He would like to do a call Monday morning with Dennis and Dan Wyant to get latest and greatest info on this t opic
  2313. >
  2314. >After that will be some combination of he and Wyant speaki ng with Ananich
  2315. >
  2316. >Any materials on this topic please share for over the weekend
  2317. >
  2318. > Beth please use call time mom for this purpose. This should precede the l<ildee call as well
  2319. >
  2320. > Thanks
  2321. >
  2322. > Sent from my iPhone
  2323. 1
  2324. O'• O, ... ooO o '' O Oo O O oO O O O '', ooO O oO o O o OoOoo .. 0 00 ' 0 oooo ''"'''''' ' 0 0 00 0 O o O 00 '0 0 000 00 0000oOOO·· · · · · 0 ° 0 °01 0 00 0 0 .. 0 .. M 0 0 o 0 00 OoO 0 0 '00 0 0 0 00 00 0'00_ ... ,, , oo O ooo oooO
  2325. From: Muchmore, Dennis {GOV)
  2326. Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2015 9:26AM
  2327. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV
  2328. ------
  2329. Cc: Calley, Brian (GOV ott, Allison {GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Agen, Jarrod (GOV)
  2330. <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey {GOV) <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth {GOV)
  2331. <clemente@michigan.gov>; Walsh, John {GOV) <WalshJ@michigan.gov>; Posthumus, Dick {GOV)
  2332. <Posthumusd@michigan.gov>; Forstner, Nathaniel {GOV) <forstnernl@michigan.gov>
  2333. Subject: Fl int updates
  2334. The memo and attachments below have captured t he latest information from the departmental side on Fli nt
  2335. succinctly. Kildee is engaged in his normal press hound routine, which is unfortunate because he's really a smart,
  2336. talented guy who needs to roll up his sleeves while Ananich is looking for relief but doesn't know where it would come
  2337. from and as usual is a positive force.
  2338. Frankly, I think both know that Walling went out on CYA effort due to the election, but of course can't say so. Neither
  2339. has any idea where his $30M figure came from, or where we would get it even if you were so incl ined.
  2340. Originally the thrust for the KWA came from the Genesee County commission and t hose involved in t he planning for
  2341. KWA including the Trades. By the time the council had voted 7- 1 for it, Andy Dil lon was in t he position of signing off on
  2342. it and did. However, it was still the right position for the long term benefit of the city and its future. They of course
  2343. have not been particularly helpful in finding sol utions to the issues. I wi ll say that the Drain Commissioner has been a
  2344. good partner and is working overtime on the problem.
  2345. They can't reconnect to DWSD even if they wanted to as they sold the connector li ne. And, especially with the new rate
  2346. increases in Detroit, their citizens would be less able to pay than t hey already are. The water certainly has occasional
  2347. less than savory aspects li ke color because of the apparently more corrosive aspects of the hard water coming from the
  2348. river, but that has died down with the additional main filters. Taste and smell have been problems also and substantial
  2349. money has been extended to work on those issues.
  2350. Now we have the ant i everything group turning to the lead content which is a concern for everyone, but DEQ and DHHS
  2351. and EPA can't f ind evidence of a major change per Geralyn's memo below. Of course, some of the Flint people respond
  2352. by looki ng for someone to blame instead of working to r educe anxiety. We can't tolerate increased lead levels in any
  2353. event, but it's really the city's water system that needs to deal with it. We're throwing as much assistance as possible at
  2354. the lead problem as regardless of what the levels, explanations or proposed solutions, the residents and particularly the
  2355. poor need help to deal with it.
  2356. It seems that continuing to find funds to buy local residents home fil ters is really a viable option and Harvey and all are
  2357. pursuing more assistance in that work. Almost all the "experts" I've talked to are convinced the problem is in the old
  2358. 1
  2359. lines leading to homes and short of a massive replacement CSO type bond that wouldn't resolve the issue for a couple of
  2360. years, nature {temp reductions), fi lters and a final connect seem to be the best courses of action.
  2361. The residents are caught in a swirl of misinformation and l ong term distrust of local government unlikely to be
  2362. resolved.
  2363. Sent from my !Phone
  2364. Begin f orwarded message:
  2365. From: "Lasher, Geralyn {DCH)" <lasherg@michigan.gov>
  2366. Date: September 25, 2015 at 4:47:01 PM EDT
  2367. To: "Muchmore, Dennis {GOV)" <muchmored@michigan.gov>, "Clement, Elizabeth {GOV)"
  2368. <clemente@michigan.gov>, "Lyon, Nick (DCH)" <LyonN2@mlchigan.gov>, "Wyant, Dan (DEQ)"
  2369. <WyantD@michigan.gov>
  2370. Cc: "Wurfel, Brad (DEQ)" <WurfeiB@michigan.gov>, "Wisniewski, Wendy (GOV)"
  2371. <wisniewskiw@michigan.gov>, "Grijalva, Nancy (DCH)" <GriialvaN@michigan.gov>, "Hertel, Elizabeth
  2372. (DCH)" <HerteiE@michigan.gov>
  2373. Subject: Update
  2374. Quick recap on the interactions this week f rom the MDHHS side on the Flint water issue.
  2375. Today the City of Flint issued t he attached "Lead Advisory" for residents to be aware of lead levels in
  2376. drinking water and issued suggestions from t he Genesee County Health Department as to what
  2377. residents coul d do to reduce ri sk. These include:
  2378. --flushing cold-water pipes by running water for approximately 5 minutes,
  2379. --usi ng only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking and making baby f ormula
  2380. --installing a waterfilter that is NSF-certified f or lead removal.
  2381. We worked with the Genesee County Healt h Department t hroughout t he week to get them in a more
  2382.   mode to provide t his guidance publicly and to encourage citizens to have the City test t heir
  2383. water if they were concerned about the quality of water at their home. The health department also
  2384. issued this fact sheet
  2385. http://www.gchd.us/docs/Popular Pages/GCHD Lead in- Water Fact Sheet 2 .pdf on Thursday
  2386. providing additional information on the issue.
  2387. MDHHS epidemiologists continue to review the "data" provided by a Hurl ey hospital physician that
  2388. showed an increase in lead activity following the change in water supply. While we conti nue t o review
  2389. t his dat a, we have stated publicly that Hurl ey conducted their analysis in a much different way t han we
  2390. do at the department. Hurley used two partial years of data, MDHHS looked at five comprehensive
  2391. years and saw no increase outside t he normal seasonal increases. The Hurley review was also a much
  2392. smaller sample than MDHHS data as ours incl udes all hospital systems in Flint as well as outside
  2393. laboratories.
  2394. We have also provide t he attached data chart that outlines if t he elevated blood lead levels were being
  2395. driven by a change in water, we would have seen t he elevated levels remain high after the change in
  2396. water source.
  2397. We have also communicated that f or WIC benefici ari es in Flint with documentation of unsanitary water,
  2398. t hey may be able to receive ready to feed formula and have encouraged famili es to contact WIC t o see if
  2399. they are eligible for this formula. SNAP beneficiaries are able to purchase bottled water with t hei r SNAP
  2400. f unds.
  2401. 2
  2402. Talking points from MDHHS are attached as well.
  2403. Thank you,
  2404. G
  2405. 3
  2406. . :
  2407. ·Mayor·
  2408. For Immediate Release
  2409. ·   •
  2410. CitY
  2411. 1
  2412. Adinh11strator·
  2413. Jason Lorenz
  2414. Public Information Officer
  2415. Office: (81 0) 237 "2039
  2416. Cell: (810) 875-2576
  2417. jlorenz@cltvofflint.com
  2418. City of Flint Issues Lead Advisory
  2419. Flint, Michigan- September 25, 2015- The City of Flint is issuing a Lead Advisory for
  2420. residents to be aware of lead levels in drinking water after hearing concerns from the
  2421. medical community. While the City is in full compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking
  2422. Water Act, this information is being shared as part of a public awareness campaign to
  2423. ensure that everyone takes note that no level of lead is considered safe.
  2424. The Genesee County Health Department has issued a fact sheet regarding lead
  2425. precautions for residents. The fact sheet can be found on their website at www.gchd.us.
  2426. Here are a few of the suggestions the Health Department recommends:
  2427. • Flush your cold-water pipes by running the water for approximately 5 minutes
  2428. • Use only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for
  2429. making baby formula.
  2430. • Install a water filter that is NSF-certified for lead removal.
  2431. Lead contamination can leach into water from a home's lead water service lines, lead
  2432. solder, and leaded plumbing materials including fixtures, faucets, and fittings. Older
  2433. service lines with pipes and fixtures installed before 1986 can sometimes be more
  2434. susceptible to lead issues due to materials used in the home such as lead based paint
  2435. and lead pipes.
  2436. This message is meant as a precaution to residents and does not mean that all homes in
  2437. the City will experience the same issue. Residents with concerns about lead service lines
  2438. City Hall
  2439. 1101 S. Snginaw Street - Flint, Michigan 48502
  2440. 810-766-7346 FAX: 810-766-7218 www.cityofflint.com
  2441.  
  2442. Max. or.
  2443. Ni{tash·a,l.!:l  
  2444. Adinfntstiatar
  2445. and lead in home plumbing fixtures are encouraged to contact the City's Utilities Division
  2446. to schedule a free water testing by calling the Water Treatment Plant at 810-787-6537
  2447. and pressing #1 after prompted or by emailing flintwater@cityofflint.com.
  2448. The City of Flint is working proactively along with the County Health Department, the
  2449. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection
  2450. Agency to improve the water system throughout. the City. An accelerated plan to add a
  2451. corrosion control agent to our water within 30 to 60 days with expedited approval from the
  2452. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is already underway. This will reduce
  2453. corrosion which can cause lead in old pipes to leach into the water.
  2454. This plan is in addition to Mayor Walling's letter requesting $30 Million in water
  2455. infrastructure assistance funding from the State of Michigan. $10 Million of that request
  2456. would be for the replacement of lead service lines in households to ensure that lead no
  2457. longer presents a danger to the drinking water of our residents. As the letter states, "It is
  2458. the City's position that the abatement of lead through the removal of lead containing pipes
  2459. and fixtures in homes is the best long term solution to keeping our residents' water safe."
  2460. Mayor Walling further stated: "I am extremely concerned about the risks around lead with
  2461. Flint's children and I will be working tirelessly to ensure the water is safe and all of our
  2462. families have the information they need. I also will continue to pursue funding for
  2463. infrastructure improvements and a comprehensive healthy homes initiative that
  2464. addresses lead in paint and pipes. We have to get the lead out of our community to
  2465. eliminate the threat of childhood lead poisoning."
  2466. The City of Flint continues working proactively with the County Health Department, the
  2467. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection
  2468. Agency to improve the water system throughout the City. The City remains committed to
  2469. working with all of our partners in the Water Technical Advisory Committee to address all
  2470. City Hall
  2471. 1101 S. Saginaw Street- Flint, Michigan 48502
  2472. 810-766-7346 FAX: 810-766-7218 www.citvoffiint. com
  2473. . .
  2474. '
  2475. . Dayne.w!ilunu ·
  2476. . . . ·.
  2477. Mayor·
  2478. rlistaslla· K*'ndW5on
  2479. . . .
  2480. CIIY,.Adininlstrator
  2481. issues of public health and quality concerns that face the community. Updates on
  2482. progress made in addressing this issue will be made during regular public meetings
  2483. including City Council and other scheduled meetings. Information on this and all related
  2484. matters will continue to be posted on the City of Flint's website, cityofflint.com.
  2485. -END-
  2486. City Hall
  2487. 1101 S. Saginaw Street - Flint, Michigan 48502
  2488. 810-766-7346 FAX: 810-766-7218 www.citvofflint.con\
  2489. Blood Lead Testing of Children in Flint, Before and After the Change in Flint's Water
  2490. The change in Flint's water source occurred in
  2491. April 2014. MDHHS looked at children's blood
  2492. lead levels (BLL) before and after this event.
  2493. The dark blue line (May 2014- April 2015) and
  2494. the green line (May-August 2015) reflect
  2495. children's blood lead tests after the change. All
  2496. other lines reflect tests before the change.
  2497. An increase in childhood lead poisoning in
  2498. summer (July, August, September) is typical
  2499. throughout Michigan every year.
  2500. While there is a dramatic difference between the
  2501. numbers of elevated BLL in the summer before
  2502. and after the event, a wider look that includes
  2503. data back to 2010 shows that the year BEFORE
  2504. the event (the yel low line} was more of an
  2505. anomaly than the year after (the dark blue line}.
  2506. If elevated BLL were being driven by the change
  2507. in water, we would expect t he dark blue line to
  2508. stay high rather than follow the seasonal
  2509. pattern.
  2510. All data included in this analysis were reported
  2511. by laboratories directly to MDHHS, in
  2512. accordance with State law.
  2513. City of Flint, Children less than 16 years of age
  2514. with Rrst-Time Elevated Blood Lead Levels*
  2515. 35 ·---------- - ----- ----- ·--.. - ···-- - -- --
  2516. 30 -------·
  2517. 20
  2518. 15
  2519. 10
  2520. 5 - ·------·
  2521. 0 .. -- - - - - -----
  2522. May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
  2523. -2010-2011 - 2011-2012 ~ 2 0 1 2   2 0 1 3 ~ 2 0 1 3   2 0 1 4 -2014-2015
  2524. *This graph Includes:
  2525. Children whose address is listed as "Fiint"-may not conform exactly to Flint city limits
  2526. Children less than 16 years of age at time of test
  2527. Only first-time blood lead levels>= 5 ug/dL
  2528. All first-time elevated levels, regardless of sample type (venous, capillary or unknown}
  2529. Feb Mar Apr
  2530. -2015
  2531. September 24, 2015
  2532. Source: MDHHS Datil Warehouse,
  2533. l:.ld sPecimen table
  2534. - -------------------------------------------------------
  2535. 0
  2536. Blood Lead Testing of Children in Flint, Before and After the Change in Flint's Water
  2537. Blood lead testing (regardless of elevated
  2538. levels) also tends to rise during late
  2539. summer (August, September, October).
  2540. This graph shows that testing in Flint has
  2541. remained fairly steady over the last five
  2542. years, except for a recent decline(May-
  2543. August 2015).
  2544. 600
  2545. 500 ....... ·--- --- -- -. -----
  2546. 400
  2547. 300 -
  2548. City of Flint, Children less than 16 years of age
  2549. Tested for Lead Poisoning
  2550. 200 - --- - ------- - ------ ·· ----· ···-···--··-------- -----·-·· - -- ···------·- ______ _:r ___ _
  2551. 100 .. --- ----·-- - ----- - - ···" · - -·- - . --- - . .. -- --- - --- - - ·-----
  2552. 0
  2553. May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
  2554. -2010-2011 -2011-2012 =2012-2013 ~ 2 0 1 3   2 0 1 4 -2014-2015 -2015
  2555. *This graph includes:
  2556. Children whose address is listed as "Fiint"-may not conform exactly to Flint city limits
  2557. Apr
  2558. Children Jess than 16 years of age at time oftest september 24,20l.5
  2559. The number of children tested wrthin each month. sour= MDHHS Data wareno:lSe,
  2560. Some.children are tested more than once, and may be included in more than one month or year. Lead Specimen table
  2561. Blood Lead Levels in FJint Talking Points
  2562. September 24, 2015
  2563. • Promoting the health of our residents is a statewide priority- a priority that includes
  2564. ensuring clean, safe drinking water for all residents and especially children.
  2565. • The results of the Hurley Children's Hospital are under review by the Michigan
  2566. Department of Health and Human Services.
  2567. • The analysis that Hurley conducted is different from the way MDHHS has analyzed data
  2568. regarding blood l ead levels in Flint.
  2569. • MDHHS is looking to see if we can replicate the results of the Hurley study to see how
  2570. they achieved their results.
  2571. MDHHS Blood Lead Testing Results in Flint
  2572. • MDDHS data shows a comprehensive look at the data since 2010, years before the
  2573. change in Flint's water source occurred in April 2014.
  2574. • Each year shows a seasonal Increase in childhood lead poisoning in the summer months,
  2575. the highest seasonal increase of which occurred in 2010.
  2576. • If el evated blood l ead levels were being driven by the change in water, we would expect
  2577. to see the elevated levels remain high after the change i n water source, rather than
  2578. follow the seasonal pattern as they did by decreasing in the fall months.
  2579. • All data included in the MDHHS analysis were reported by laboratories directly to
  2580. MDHHS, In accordance with State Law.
  2581. Differences in Analysis
  2582. • MDHHS data provides a much more robust picture of the entire blood l ead levels for the
  2583. Flint area, and specifically, accounts for data over the full course of the past five years.
  2584. • Looking at the past five years as a whole provides a much more accurate look at the
  2585. seasonal trends of lead in the area.
  2586. • Seasonal exposure is higher in the summer for a variety of r easons including chi ldren
  2587. playing outsi de in the soil, and when windows are open and lead paint is more likely to
  2588. be in the air. Thi s seasonal increase would be unrelated to the water system.
  2589. • Our data includes children from the entire city, including all medical faci liti es, rather
  2590. than just Hurley, has a larger age group of children, and includes a much larger sample
  2591. size.
  2592. • The MDHHS analysis l ooks specifically at the .first elevated blood lead level for each
  2593. child, which provides an accurate picture of when first exposure occurred.
  2594. o The Hurley data includes a smaller sample size, much more limited time period (January-
  2595. September of 2013 and 2015 only), and a smaller age group of children.
  2596. WIC Children
  2597. • In homes with infants on WIC, if the household has documentation from an official
  2598. source of unsanitary water supply issues, that family may be eligible to receive ready-to-
  2599. feed formula. Families should contact WIC to see if they are eligible.
  2600. • Each household would have to be looked at on an indivi dual basis.
  2601. • WIC cannot cover bottled water.
  2602. From: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  2603. Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2015 11:29 AM
  2604. To: Snyder, Riel< (G
  2605. Cc: Calley, Brian (
  2606. Subject: Treasury
  2607. This is from our meeting last week on Flint.
  2608. Sent from my iPhone
  2609. Begin forwarded message:
  2610. Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  2611. From: "Saxton, Thomas (Treasury)" <SaxtonT@michigan.gov>
  2612. Date: September 16, 2015 at 5:18:54 PM EDT
  2613. To: "Muchmore, Dennis {GOV)" <muchmored@michigan.gov>, "Khouri, Nick (TREASURY)"
  2614. <KhouriN@m ichigan.gov>
  2615. Cc: "Lyon, Nicl< (DCH)" <LyonN2@michigan.gov>, " Wyant, Dan (DEQ)" <WyantD@mlchlgan.gov>,
  2616. "Wurfel, Brad (DEQ)" <WurfeiB@mlchlgan.gov>, "Agen, Jarrod (GOV)" <AgenJ@michigan.gov>,
  2617. "Clement, Elizabeth (GOV)" <clemente@michigan.gov>, "Hollins, Harvey (GOV)"
  2618. <hollinsh@michigan.gov>, "Roberts, John (DTMB)" <RobertsJ9@michigan.gov>, "Workman, Wayne
  2619. (TREASURY)" <Worl<manW@michigan.gov>
  2620. Subject: Flint
  2621. Attached is the summary (prepared by Wayne's staff) of the call we/Treasury had yesterday with Flint.
  2622. would say nothing 'enlightening' really came out of the call.
  2623. As indicated they asked about the status of the $30mm request to the Governor. Which coincidently is
  2624. the ballpark number they are at risk for in the rate lawsuit(s).
  2625. We said we did not have an immediate response other than it would likely require an appropriation by
  2626. the legislature. This would probably lead to similar requests from other urban communities; but, we are
  2627. still looking at it.
  2628. We are not aware of any existing qualifying projects that the City has sought funding for in the SRF-
  2629. drinking water program. They had asked previously for some funds on the wastewater side but had
  2630. withdrawn the request because they lacked match funds.
  2631. 1
  2632. From: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV}
  2633. Sent: Monday, September 28, 2015 12:04 PM
  2634. To: Snyder, Rick {GOV
  2635. Subject: FW: Letter to
  2636. I
  2637. Just got this.
  2638. , •• . i• "·.
  2639. From: Andrew Leavitt [mailto:ALeavitt@senate.michigan.gov]
  2640. Sent: Monday, September 28, 2015 11:45 AM
  2641. To: Muchmore, Dennis {GOV} <muchmored@michigan.gov>
  2642. Subject: Letter to Governor Snyder: Flint Water
  2643. Hi Dennis,
  2644. Senator Ananlch began drafting the attached letter on Sunday and thought it would be h ~ l p   f u l to guide our 12pm call.
  2645. Thanks,
  2646. Andy
  2647. 1
  2648. SENATE MINORITY LEADER
  2649. JIMANANICH
  2650. September 28, 2015
  2651. State of Michigan
  2652. Executive Office of the Govcrno1·
  2653. P.O. Box 30013
  2654. Lansing, MI 48909
  2655. Govemor Snyder,
  2656. © 617.373.0142
  2657. 18 senjananlch@senate.mlchlgan.gov
  2658. 1\ll senateclems.comlananlch
  2659. Access to safe, affordable drinking water is a basic necessity for eveLy community. It is
  2660. completely unacceptable that respected scientific experts and our trusted local physicians have
  2661. verified that the City of Flint's drinking water is dangemus for our citizens, especially our most
  2662. vulnerable young people.
  2663. As a result, I am formally requesting assistance as suggested by the experts on the frontline of this
  2664. public health crisis. Here are the top priorities we should work together to address:
  2665. 1. Swift transfer to a safe source of water until the Karegnondi Water Authority
  2666. (KW A) project is complete next year. Your administration has the ability to ensure a
  2667. financially acceptable and responsible contract between Flint and the Detroit Water and
  2668. Sewerage Department, particul arly in light of the public health implications with the Flint
  2669. River supply.
  2670. 2. Equally urgent is the need for corrosion control as recommended by independent
  2671. scientific experts. There are chemical treatment additives that could help reduce this
  2672. corrosion. I urge you to help the city implement anti-corrosion methods immediately. The
  2673. cunent emergency makes the January timeline unacceptable.
  2674. 3. Filters and bottled water assistance. Flint water touches the entire city. Whether it's a
  2675. person's home, work, school, restaurant or place ofwmsbip, access to safe, clean
  2676. drinking water should not be hindered. Water filters, used in conjm10tion with corrosion
  2677. control methods, are necessmy to help guard against toxic exposure.
  2678. I have been working with the philanthropic community and private sector to secure
  2679. donations to acquire filters and water; however, more funds will be necessary to
  2680. effectively cover the thousands of residents impacted. I would like to formally request
  2681. emergency funding to help supplement the acquisition of water filters and bottled water.
  2682. Any and all appropriate state or federal money to help accomplish this feat should be
  2683. considered.
  2684. SENATE MINORITY LEADER
  2685. JIMANANICH
  2686. t.9 517.373.0142
  2687. 13 sen}anMich@senate.mchlgan.gov
  2688. 1\ll senatedems.com/ananlch
  2689. 4. Support for completion of the KWA pipeline. It is presumed that the upcoming KWA
  2690. pipeline will solve a number of problems associated with the current sourcing of Flint's
  2691. water from the Flint River. I am requesting a meeting between representatives from yom
  2692. office, KWA board members and project engineers to discuss any options to expedite the
  2693. pipeline's constmction.
  2694. 5. A long-term commitment to addr essing outdated infrastr ucture. A recent EPA report
  2695. just outlined the billions of dollars necessary over the next several decades to adequately
  2696. secure safe water for om entire state. You have the position and opportunity to be a
  2697. national leader on moving the debate f01ward on this topic so that we can avoid the type
  2698. of catastrophe my community is grappling with today.
  2699. I look forward to working with you to deliver on these concrete and mgent action items to
  2700. alleviate the public health crisis facing our residents.
  2701. We jeopardize any progress and comeback for our cities and state if we cannot ensme safe, basic
  2702. necessities for our families or if we cannot come together swiftly to fix an identified, severe threat
  2703. to the safety of our people.
  2704. Sincerely,
  2705.  
  2706. anich
  2707. emocratic Leader
  2708. District 27
  2709. cc:
  2710. U.S. Representative DanKildee
  2711. Mayor Daync Walling, City of Flint
  2712. . Howard Croft, City of Flint
  2713. Susan Hedman, EPA
  2714. Thomas Poy, EPA
  2715. Michael Schock, EPA-ORD
  2716. Darren Lytle, EPA-ORD
  2717. Denise Fortin, EPA
  2718. Liane Shekter-Smith, MDEQ
  2719. Pat Cook, MDEQ
  2720. Stephen Busch, MDBQ
  2721. Brad WlU'fel, MDEQ
  2722. MaTe Edwards, Virginia Tech
  2723. Governor Rick Snyder
  2724. Septelnber 28, 2015
  2725. Daily Briefing
  2726. Contents
  2727. September 28
  2728. 1
  2729. h Calendar
  2730. Events
  2731. Amazon Detroit Grand Opening
  2732. 1. Briefing- Page 10
  2733. 2. Press Release - Page 13
  2734. Rising Tide Event Briefing
  2735. DTE Investor Day
  2736. 1. Briefing - Page 22
  2737. 2. Attendee List - Page 24
  2738. For Review
  2739. Flint Water FAQ & Talking Points
  2740. Note: No changes from Weekend Briefing
  2741. I Pages
  2742. 2- 9
  2743. 10 - 14
  2744. 15-21
  2745. 22- 25
  2746. 26 - 30
  2747. Are there ·other ways the city monitors for lead exposure?
  2748. The County Health Department, overseen statewide by the Mi chigan Department of
  2749. Health and Human Services, regularly monitors blood levels in children throughout
  2750. Michigan communities. The leading cause of lead poisoning is exposure to lead paint.
  2751. Blood lead level testing results for the 12-month period just after the City of Flint
  2752. changed its water source (May 2014- April2015) showed no significant change in the
  2753. pattern of blood lead levels in Flint, compared to the previous three years. This data
  2754. suggests the recent change in water source by the City of Flint has not contributed to an
  2755. increase. in lead exposure throughout the community. ·
  2756. How does the state decide if the water is creating a lead problem?
  2757. Compliance with the federal lead rule is based on a goth percentile calculation. If more
  2758. than 1 0 percent of samples report lead above the federal action level of 15 parts per
  2759. billion, a water supply has an "action level exceedance." An exceedance is not a
  2760. violation. It triggers other requirements which could include public notification, additional
  2761. water quality sampling, and possibly further treatment.
  2762. While some of Flint's individual samples exceeded the 15 parts-per-billion lead action
  2763. level, compliance is based on the 90
  2764. 1
  2765. h percentile of samples. The City of Flint's goth
  2766. percentile level has ranged between 0 parts per billion in 2008 and 2011 , and 15 parts
  2767. per billion in 1992, but never exceeded the action level.
  2768. The two most recent sampling periods, in 2014 and 2015, were 6 parts per billion and
  2769. 11 patis per billion, respectively.
  2770. Did the city use every sample they got back?
  2771. Sampling requirements for lead and copper are designed to target the most common
  2772. pathways to lead ingestion in homes with the least protection. The sample must be
  2773. collected from a commonly used kitchen or bathroom tap, and in accordance with the
  2774. provided sampling instructions. Homes that employ filtration or additional treatment
  2775. cannot be included. Samples must also be collected within the established monitoring
  2776. period.
  2777. I have a lead service connection or lead plumbing. What should I do?
  2778. Replacement is the only way to eliminate lead exposure. However, here are some
  2779. interim steps homeowners can take to reduce it:
  2780. Flush pipes before drinking, and only use cold water for consumption.
  2781. The more time water has been sitting in your home's pipes, the more lead it may
  2782. contain. When water in a particular faucet has not been used for six hours or longer,
  2783. "flush" cold-water pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get. This
  2784. could take five to 30 seconds if there has been recent water use elsewhere in the home,
  2785. such as showering or flushing toilets. Othetwise, it could take two minutes or longer.
  2786. Use only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making
  2787. baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead.
  2788. 2
  2789. Who is responsible for replacement of leaded materials?
  2790. Replacement of service pipes on private property and any leaded plumbing materials
  2791. within the home is a homeowner's responsibility. The City of Flint owns the service
  2792. pipe from the water main to the curb stop valve, and that is the City's responsibility.
  2793. This valve is normally located two feet in from the street curb. From there to the house
  2794. is private property and the responsibility of the homeowner. ·
  2795. Why doesn't the city at least replace its portion of lead service lines?
  2796. Partial lead service line replacement has been shown to mobilize more lead and make
  2797. the situation worse. Only full lead service line replacement has been demonstrated
  2798. effective in achieving long-term reductions in drinking water lead levels.
  2799. What is the City's timeline for installation of corrosion control treatment?
  2800. The federal government allows the steps to complete the installation of optimal
  2801. corrosion control treatment and follow-up monitoring to take up to five years.
  2802. However, the City of Flint has committed to completing install ation of Optimized
  2803. Corrosion Control Treatment in less than six months.
  2804. What will happen when Flint joins the Karegnondi Water Authority next year?
  2805. The City has committed to having Optimized Corrosion Control Treatment in place prior
  2806. to its connection with the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA). The water provided by
  2807. KWA will come from a new source, Lake Huron. The city will continue its lead and
  2808. copper sampling every six months. Additionally, the city's water treatment plant will
  2809. continue to op'erate with uninterrupted Optimized Corrosion Control Treatment.
  2810. How long would it take to replace lead service lines throughout Flint?
  2811. The city has about 32,900 service connections in total. More than 15,000 of these
  2812. connections are considered lead service lines. Even if many crews were contracted, it
  2813. would·likely take up to 15 years to complete this work.
  2814. What would it cost to replace the lead service line at my house?
  2815. Average costs to replace a lead service line at an individual home range from $2,000 to
  2816. $8,000. Costs vary depending on the length and size of service line that is needed, as
  2817. well as the ground cover and soil conditions encountered.
  2818. With more than 15,000 lead service lines at an estimated average cost of $4,000 for
  2819. each replacement, total cost could be $60 million or more.
  2820. 3
  2821. Blood Lead levels in Flint Talking Points
  2822. September 24, 2015
  2823. • Promoting the health of our residents is a statewide priority- a priority that includes
  2824. ensuring clean, safe drinking water for all residents and especially children.
  2825. • The results of the Hurley Children's Hospital are under review by the Michigan
  2826. Department of Health and Human Services.
  2827. • The analysis that Hurley conducted is different from the way MDHHS has analyzed data
  2828. regarding blood lead levels in Flint.
  2829. • M DHHS is looking to see if we can replicate the results of the Hurley study to see how
  2830. they achieved their results.
  2831. MDHHS Blood Lead Testing Results in Flint
  2832. • M DDHS data shows a comprehensive look at the data since 2010, years before the
  2833. change in Flint's water source o   ~ u r r e d in April 2014.
  2834. • Each year shows a seasonal increase in childhood lead poisoning in the summer months,
  2835. the highest seasonal increase of which occurred in 2010.
  2836. • If elevated blood lead levels were being driven by the change in water, we would expect
  2837. to see the elevated levels remain high after the change in water source, rather than
  2838. follow the seasonal pattern as they did by decreasing in the fall months.
  2839. • All data included in the MDHHS analysis were reported by laboratories directly to
  2840. MDHHS, in accordance with State Law.
  2841. Differences in Analysis
  2842. • MDHHS data provides a much more robust picture of t he entire blood lead levels for the
  2843. Flint area, and specifically, accounts for data over the full course of the past f ive years.
  2844. • Looking at the past five years as a whole provides a much more accurate look at the
  2845. seasonal trends of lead in the area.
  2846. • Seasonal exposure is higher in the summer for a variety of reasons including children
  2847. playing outside in the soi l, and _when windows are open and lead paint is more likely to
  2848. be in the air. This seasonal increase would be unrelated to the water system.
  2849. a Our data includes children from the entire city, including all medical facilities, rather
  2850. than just Hurley, has a larger age group of children, and includes a much larger sample
  2851. size.
  2852. • The MDHHS analysis looks specifically at the first elevated blood lead level for each
  2853. child, which provides an accurate picture of when first exposure occurred.
  2854. o The Hurley data includes a smaller sample size, much more limited time period (January-
  2855. September of 2013 and 2015 only), and a smaller age group of chi ldren.
  2856. WIC Children
  2857. • In homes with infants on WIC, if the household has documentation from an official
  2858. source of unsanitary water supply issues, that family may be eligi ble to receive ready-to-
  2859. feed formula. Fami lies should contact WIC to see if they are eligible.
  2860. • Each household would have to be looked at on an individual basis.
  2861. • WIC cannot cover bottled water.
  2862. From: Scott, Allison (GOV)
  2863. Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 11:06 AM
  2864. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2865. Subject: FW: Flint Water
  2866. fyi
  2867. From: Wisniewski, Wendy (GOV)
  2868. Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 11:00 AM
  2869. To: Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  2870. Cc: Agen, Jarred (GOV) <AgenJ@michlgan.gov>
  2871. Subject: Flint Water Time line
  2872. Per our discussion, attached is the draft timeline that Tom Saxton sent to Dennis
  2873. Wendy Wisniewski
  2874. Executive Assistant to Dennis Muchmore
  2875. and Beth Clement
  2876. Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder
  2877. George W. Romney Building, 2nd Floor
  2878. 111 South Capitol Avenue
  2879. P.O. Box 30013
  2880. Lansing, Ml48909
  2881. (517) 241-5601
  2882. WisniewskiW@michigan.gov
  2883. 1
  2884. 4425 (Rev. 04-15)
  2885. RICK SNYDER
  2886. GOVERNOR
  2887. STATE OF MICHIGAN
  2888. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
  2889. LANSING
  2890. Flint Water Timeline (09-28-15)
  2891. NICK A. KHOURI
  2892. STATE TREASURER
  2893. June 26, 2012 - Letter from Flint EM Mike Brown to DWSD for permission to begin blending
  2894. Flint River water with treated water from DWSD. The letter indicates that the DEQ is supporting
  2895. this option and its implementation would save the City between $2M and $3M annually .
  2896. •     : .. ,   .. ..::::=
  2897. Se EM Ed DWSD
  2898. qP,!fpn. is ::(.::;
  2899. BV 't?':. lt#  
  2900. 31, An\\iJ:sis by Flint that the to
  2901. water fr9m will to per fiscal year
  2902.   ·. /JF 1\U
  2903.   2012 Y and KWA
  2904.   to the )1iftf i::;l={.!
  2905. 6, Lef@1 from Em%,tency Ed to State Dillon
  2906.   the is that switchinft? KWA
  2907. IS oftlie·C1ty of Flint' t:·:::':   :;.::,;,i :'::.==:::
  2908. ··:..:.:.: :·· ! l"·"• . '.::.:.:·: • \ .,,:::.>.:-' <.·' .. :->
  2909. February 2013 - TYJT issues a fmalreport to Treasury on the comparison between Karegnondi
  2910. Water Authority (KWA) and DWSD. Analysis suggests that the KWA option is the cheaper option
  2911. for the City of Flint.
  2912. March 2013 - DWSD contacts the City of Flint to begin direct negotiations on a contract
  2913. extension. Multiple options are provided to the Flint Emergency Manager (EM) Ed Kurtz.
  2914. March 26, 2013 - The Flint City Council endorses joining KW A.
  2915. Aprilll, 2013 - State Treasurer Andy Dillon authorizes Flint EM Ed Kmtz, pursuant to Section
  2916. 12(3) ofP.A. 436 of2012, to enter into a contract with KWA if a final offer from DWSD is either
  2917. not received for rejected in good faith based upon specific objections.
  2918. AprillS, 2013- DWSD provides a best and final offer to the City of Flint. Analyses by Flint EM
  2919. Ed Kurtz, theDepmtment ofEnvironmental Quality and Treasury's Office ofFiscal Responsibility
  2920. independently conclude that the KW A option is cheaper for the City of Flint.
  2921. April 16, 2013 -Flint EM Ed Kmtz informs the State Treasurer that the City willjoinKWA. This
  2922. decision was officially announced May 1, 2013.
  2923. P.O. BOX 30728 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-8228
  2924. www.mlchlgan.gov/lreasury • 517-373-3227
  2925. Page2
  2926. April17, 2013 - DWSD transmits a letter to Flint EM Eel Kurtz terminating service to the City of
  2927. Flint, effective Apri117, 2014.
  2928. June 2013- Groundbreaking for the Karegnondi Water Authority. Flint also requests full time
  2929. use of the Flint Water Treatment Plant with Flint River water as a source.
  2930. June 28, 2013 - Financing Contract between the City of Flint and KW A is approved. Effective
  2931. September 1, 2013. This document was signed by EM Mike Brown.
  2932. February 19, 2014 - The KWA Board ofDirectors adopts Resolution 2014-01, authorizing KWA
  2933. to bond for water line construction on-behalf of the City of Flint.
  2934. April17, 2014- Water service from DWSD officially ends. The City of Flint also conducts two
  2935. separate public forums regarding the use of Flint River water, upgrades to the City' s water system
  2936. and the overall cost ofthe switch to KWA.
  2937. April25, 2014- City conducts public event marking the transition to the use of Flint River water.
  2938. DEQ infmmation shows that transition complete by May 2015.
  2939. March 3, 2015- Flint EM Jerry Ambrose provides a memorandum to Deputy State Treasurer
  2940. Wayne Worlanan stating that a reconnection to DWSD will cost the City $10.1M/yeru: and that
  2941. water purchases could be as high as $1M/month.
  2942. March 12,2015 - The City ofFlinthires Veolia to conduct an operational evaluation of the City's
  2943. water system.
  2944. From: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  2945. Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 4:34PM
  2946. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  2947. Cc: Agen, Jarrod (GOV)
  2948. Subject: FW: Flint financial update
  2949. Fyi
  2950. From: Workman, Wayne (TREASURY)
  2951. Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2015 2:15 PM
  2952. To: Muchmore, Dennis {GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth {GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>;
  2953. Durfee, Sally {TREASURY) <DurfeeS1@michigan.gov>; Khouri, Nick (TREASURY) <KhouriN@michigan.gov>
  2954. Cc: Saxton, Thomas (Treasury) <SaxtonT@michigan.gov>; Stanton, Terry A. {Treasury) <StantonT@michigan.gov>
  2955. Subject: Fwd: Flint update
  2956. So we don't forget the money; Flint is now running a $14,000,000 deficit in the
  2957. WaterFund due to two lawsuits that have gone against the City. It has reduced what t hey can bill some folks have
  2958. stopped paying believing they will be getting big credits or refunds. Also water cont be shut off for nonpayment under
  2959. one suit
  2960. Sent from my iPhone
  2961. Begin forwarded message:
  2962. From: "Byrne, Randall (Treasury)" <ByrneR1@michigan.gov>
  2963. Date: October 1, 2015 at 10:29:51 AM EDT
  2964. To: "Workman, Wayne (TREASURY)" <WorkmanW@michigan.gov>
  2965. Cc: "Saxton, Thomas {Treasury)" <SaxtonT@mlchigan.gov>, "Schafer, Suzanne K. (Treasury)"
  2966. <SchaferS7@michlgan.gov>
  2967. Subject: Flint update
  2968. Wayne:
  2969. The local television station reported this morning that the Flint Finance Director informed the City
  2970. Council last night that they project a deficit of $14M in their Water and Sewer Fund at year end. I spoke
  2971. to Natasha this morning and requested a copy of their budget report and a cash flow analysis to verify
  2972. this information. I should have this information today.
  2973. 1
  2974. •
  2975. ·;
  2976. .
  2977. '
  2978. [
  2979. Randall Byrne I State Admini strative Manager
  2980. local Government Services- Office of Fiscal Responsibility
  2981. State of Michigan I 430 W. Allegan Street, 3rd Floor I Lansing, Ml 48922
  2982. {517) 335-2521 I {517) 373-0633 (fax) I BvrneRl @michigan.gov
  2983. Think Green I Don't print thi s e-mail unless you need to.
  2984. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and
  2985. may contain information that is confidential and protected from disclosure under the law. Any unauthorized review,
  2986. use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply
  2987. e-mail, and delete/destroy all copies of the original message and attachments.
  2988. 2
  2989. From: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  2990. Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 4:31 PM
  2991. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)-
  2992. Cc: Agen, Jarrod (GOV) ~ t h u m u s   Dick (GOV) <Posthumusd@michigan.gov>; Clement,
  2993. Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey (GOV) <hollinsh@michigan.gov>
  2994. Subject: Flint
  2995. I talked with Dayne Walling at length today a few minutes ago, and Harvey and I had separate meetings with one of the
  2996. Flint minister groups and t hen Rep. Neely. Our conversations were cordial for the most with the normal concerns being
  2997. expressed. I told Rep. Neely that I felt he hadn't gotten enough respect and insight into our thoughts on this and we
  2998. expanded our backgrounder for him and he was very appreciative. He actually cancelled a Black Caucus meeting called
  2999. for today on this due to Harvey and our meeting. I have Dan and Nick calling him just to update.
  3000. More importantly, we have the proposal back from DWSD for a reconnect:
  3001. 1. Short term reconnect is ok until KWA starts operating;
  3002. 2. No reconnect fee and immediate reconnect;
  3003. 3. Expenses incurred at actual cost although no estimate at this time
  3004. 4. A fixed monthly rate of $662,1.00 +a commodity rate of $8.93mcf for current 15-16 FY;
  3005. 5. Rate is over and above water sales to Genesee County Drain Commission;
  3006. 6. A water wholesale adjustment;
  3007. 7. Only extends to Flint;
  3008. 8. Rates for 16-17 FY would be the same as other customers.
  3009. Mayor Duggan is more than willing to lend his support.
  3010. I'm asking Saxton for a ballpark calculation. We would have to find them the money for this reconnect, but Dayne is
  3011. more than open (as is Ananich to a lesser degree) to finding some revolving fund that they would repay perhaps on an
  3012. extended basis or maybe using some guarantee to reduce the borrowing costs.
  3013. 1
  3014. From: Paciorek, Josh (GOV)
  3015. Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 10:31 AM
  3016. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3017. Cc: Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@ n.gov>; Agen, Jarrod (GOV} <AgenJ@michigan.gov>
  3018. Subject: Updated Flint Water posters/infographics
  3019. Governor,
  3020. Attached are the updated infographicsjposters with the action items reordered the way you suggested.
  3021. Josh
  3022. 1
  3023. , ............ ·.·.·.·.·.··.·.·.·.······· ···.·.·.·.·_··.·.·········.· ... ·.·······•······ . .··.····
  3024. I
  3025. I
  3026. I
  3027. . i
  3028. I :
  3029. I '
  3030. I !
  3031. i i
  3032. I !
  3033. i l
  3034. 1 l
  3035. I !
  3036. I !
  3037. I !
  3038. i i
  3039. , I
  3040. I ,
  3041. I !
  3042. I !
  3043. i !
  3044. l !
  3045. I I
  3046. I I
  3047. I
  3048. I
  3049. I
  3050. I
  3051. I
  3052. Ill
  3053. Ill
  3054. ON !'
  3055.   I
  3056. Testing in Flint public schools immediately to ensure that
  3057. drinking water is safe, with testing also available at no cost to any
  3058. other school in Flint.
  3059. Expanding health exposure testing of individual homes.
  3060. Offering free water testing to Flint residents to assure
  3061. their drinking water is safe.
  3062. Accelerating corrosion controls in the Flint drinking water system.
  3063. Expanding a Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory
  3064. Committee to ensure the best technology, practices and science are
  3065. being followed by adding an expert from the Environmental
  3066. Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development to the
  3067. group.
  3068. Accelerating water system improvements to address replacing
  3069. lead service lines.
  3070. Expediting the completion of the Karegnondi Water Authority
  3071. pipeline.
  3072. Naming Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for the Michigan
  3073. Department of Health and Human Services, as the Flint drinking
  3074. water public health adviser.
  3075. Providing water filters to residents with concerns or who are
  3076. included in state assistance programs.
  3077. Creating a comprehensive lead education program to make sure
  3078. residents have detailed information about how to protect
  3079. themselves and their homes.
  3080. i
  3081. I
  3082. i .
  3083. I
  3084. i
  3085. I
  3086. I
  3087. I
  3088. I
  3089. I
  3090. I
  3091. I
  3092. I
  3093. l
  3094. l
  3095. l
  3096. I
  3097. I
  3098. I
  3099. i
  3100. I
  3101. I
  3102. I
  3103. I
  3104. I
  3105. l
  3106. I
  3107. I I
  3108. I I
  3109. To get your water tested for free, please call the city of Flint Water Plant at (81 0) 787-6537 and then press 1.
  3110. You can also email flintwater@cityofflint.com
  3111. r· ······ .. ·· . .. .... ... .. .. .. ......... ...... ........ ........ ............. ................ .. .......... .. .. ...... ............... ... ..... ... .... ............ ... .. ........ .............. ..... .......... .... ..... .
  3112. I ............. ... ................. ............... .. ... .. . ....... .............. ... . .... . ... ... ....... ... ........ . ... ...... ....... .. ............ .... ..... . .. .. . .. . ... .. .. ,
  3113. I
  3114. I
  3115. ON
  3116.  
  3117. www.mi.govtFII niWator
  3118. •
  3119. 6
  3120. ... • - r-- • -•• • , o•o , I :"fl','
  3121. - Tips for Flint Residents - ·
  3122. . ...... _,,,. . __... .
  3123. 0
  3124. Lead plumbing is common in homes built prior to "1 986, and anyone in the state with lead pipes in
  3125. their home can take some extra precaut ions to minimize lead In their drinking water.
  3126. ,1.
  3127.  
  3128. To ensure safe drinking water, you can also get
  3129. a free filter. Please visit to
  3130. find where you can get a free filter.
  3131. =
  3132. ---
  3133. Additionally, more lead gets into hot
  3134. water than cold water. [LJ)se
  3135. ffoll' cooidB1laJ alnldl
  3136. malldng lbaby  
  3137. =
  3138. = =
  3139. ,p'
  3140.  
  3141.  
  3142. 4
  3143.  
  3144.  
  3145.  
  3146. =
  3147. -
  3148. -
  3149. -
  3150.  
  3151. ,
  3152. ;
  3153. .,;
  3154. '
  3155. '
  3156. '
  3157.  
  3158. To get your water tested for free, please call the city of Flint Water Plant at (81 0) 787-6537 and then press 1.
  3159. You can also email flinlwater@cltyofflint.com
  3160. -----Original Message-----
  3161. From: Agen, Jarrod {GOV)
  3162. Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 10:35 AM
  3163. To: Snyder, Rick {GOV)
  3164. Cc: Scott, Allison {GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  3165. Subject : Re: Fli nt
  3166. Josh just sent infographics.
  3167. On filters-- Dan Wyant just called to t ell me we can announce $1 million for f ilters out of a settlement fund in DEQ. Will
  3168. be put into supplemental approps bill next week.
  3169. 1
  3170. 1
  3171. 11 get more on ti ming of availability.
  3172. Gettings answers on these others t oo.
  3173. >On Oct 2, 2015, at 7:12 AM, Snyder, Rick {G
  3174. >
  3175. > Do we have updated infographs?
  3176. wrote:
  3177. >
  3178. > Do we have an answer as to how to reconci le what Genesse County said yesterday with what we are saying today?
  3179. >
  3180. >Any more inf o on t he timing of filt er availability?
  3181. >
  3182. >Best way to t all< about discussions with GLWA?
  3183. >
  3184. > Thanks
  3185. > Rick
  3186. >
  3187. >Sent f rom my iPad
  3188. 1
  3189. -----Original Message-----
  3190. From: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3191. Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 12:33 PM
  3192. To: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>
  3193. Cc: Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>
  3194. Subject: Re: Question to consider
  3195. We need Treasury to work with Dan and Flint on a clear side by side comparison of the health benefits and costs of
  3196. GLWA vs. a more optimized Flint system. Also, we need to look at what financing mechanisms are available to Flint to
  3197. pay for any higher cost actions. Please get people working on these two issues ASAP.
  3198. Thanks
  3199. Riel<
  3200. Sent from my iPad
  3201. >On Oct 2, 2015, at 8:04AM, Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov> wrote:
  3202. >
  3203. > 01<. Walling, Ananich and Kildee are pushing privately for that to be considered. We'll collect as much info as possible.
  3204. Dayne is setting up a meeting with DWSD on his own and I thought that his initiation without our encouragement or
  3205. leadership was the right way to approach it. I just told Dayne to be careful about some twist that hasn't yet been
  3206. considered.
  3207. >
  3208. »On Oct 2, 2015, at 10:57 AM, Snyder, Riel< (GOV) rote:
  3209. >>
  3210. »We should help get all of the facts on the consequences of changing back vs. staying and then determine what
  3211. financing mechanisms we have available. If we can provide the financing, then we should let Flint make the decision.
  3212. >>
  3213. »Thanks
  3214. »Rick
  3215. >>
  3216. »Sent from my iPad
  3217. >>
  3218. »>On Oct 2, 2015, at 7:38AM, Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov> wrote:
  3219. >»
  3220. >»It appears on the surface (without the deep dive we'll definitely do on it) that for $11M we can reconnect to DWSD
  3221. system for the intervening time before I<WA comes on line. That may well be the only way to bring any confidence back
  3222. to the community. If you choose to do so, what if we created or expanding some revolving fund where Flint wouldn't
  3223. have to start repaying until2020 or whenever in the future to stretch the li ability? If we needed to have a guarantee
  3224. perhaps we could use the Escheats of the bottle bill money as a set aside or guarantor without having to touch the
  3225. principal?
  3226. 1
  3227. From: GOV Newsroom [mailto:govnewsroom@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov]
  3228. Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 1:58 PM
  3229. To: Snyder, Rick {GOV)
  3230. Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Gov. action plan will help Flint residents address water concerns
  3231. Contacts: Sara Wurfel or Dave Murray
  3232. 517-335-6397
  3233. Brad Wurfel, 517-284-6713
  3234. Department of Environmental Quality
  3235. Jennifer Eisner, 517-230-9804
  3236. Department of Health and Human Services
  3237. Governor Rick   n y d e ~
  3238. REINVENTIN: . ICHIGAN
  3239. Getting tt Right. Gettln It Done.
  3240. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  3241. Friday, October 2, 2015
  3242. Editor's Note: Click here for infographic and action plan.
  3243. Gov. Rick Snyder: Comprehensive action plan will help
  3244. Flint residents address water concerns
  3245. Collaborative effort with state, federal and city leaders focuses on testing, assistance
  3246. FLINT, Mich. - Flint residents need to have access to safe, clean, water now and long into the
  3247. future, Gov. Rick Snyder said, announcing a comprehensive action plan created with state, federal
  3248. and city leaders to address concerns about drinl<ing water.
  3249. 1
  3250. The water leaving Flint's drinl<ing water system is safe to drink, but some families with lead
  3251. plumbing in their homes or service connections could experience higher levels of lead in the water
  3252. that comes out of their faucets.
  3253. The action plan focuses on increasing water testing, offering additional precautions for families
  3254. with lead plumbing in their homes, and providing long-term solutions to address the city's water
  3255. infrastructure challenges. The plan was created at Snyder's direction by the Michigan Departments
  3256. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Health and Human Services (DHHS), the U.S. Environmental
  3257. Protection Agency, and the city of Flint.
  3258. "We are focus.ed on helping ensure safe, clean, accessible dri nking water and addressing and
  3259. mitigating concerns and protecting public health," Snyder said. "Today's action plan bui.Jds upon
  3260. ongoing work with local, state and federal agencies and our partnership with city and community
  3261. leaders. Together, we are working to ensure that all Flint residents have accurate information and
  3262. know that help is available to address potential problems."
  3263. The city and the state also are working together to gather more data to ensure the water that
  3264. leaves the treatment plant as well as the water that arrives in Fl int homes is safe for all residents.
  3265. The plan includes:
  3266. • Testing in Flint public schools immediately to ensure that drinking water is safe, with testing also
  3267. available at no cost to any other school in Flint.
  3268. • Offering free water testing to Flint residents to assure their drinking water is safe.
  3269. • Providing free water filters to residents.
  3270. • Expanding health exposure testing of individual homes.
  3271. • Accelerating corrosion controls in the Flint drinking water system.
  3272. • Accelerating water system improvements to address replacing lead service lines.
  3273. • Expediting the completion of the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline.
  3274. • Expanding a Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee to ensure the best technology,
  3275. practices and science are being followed by adding an expert from the Environmental Protection
  3276. Agency's Office of Research and Development to the group.
  3277. • Naming Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human
  3278. Services, as the Flint drinking water public health adviser.
  3279. • Boosting a comprehensive lead education program to make sure residents have detailed information
  3280. about how to protect themselves and their homes.
  3281. Residents can have their water tested by calling 810-787-6537 and pressing 1, or emailing
  3282. flintwater@cityofflint.com. The DEQ is covering the cost of this testing.
  3283. State leaders have been working closely with state and federal lawmakers to tap resources at all
  3284. levels of government to address concerns.
  3285. State health experts said there has been an increase in elevated childhood blood lead levels in
  3286. some specific communities. Initial analysis of MDHHS data found that blood lead levels of children
  3287. in Flint have followed an expected seasonal trend. While this analysis for Flint as a whole remains
  3288. true, a comprehensive and detailed review breal<ing down data by ZIP codes with the city revealed
  3289. that MDHHS data is consistent with a study presented recently by Hurley Children's Hospital.
  3290. "Whi le we cannot conclusively say that the water source change is the sole cause of the increase,
  3291. this analysis supports our efforts as we take active steps to reduce all potential lead exposures in
  3292. Flint," MDHHS Director Nick Lyon said. "As part of this, we are working closely with our public and
  3293. 2
  3294. private partners to provide Flint residents on MDHHS assistance programs with free water filters
  3295. and inform families about the steps they can take to reduce all lead exposures in their home."
  3296. As a part of the action plan, National Sanitation Foundation certified water filters will be made
  3297. available to Flint residents through emergency state funds and coordinated efforts with local
  3298. community agencies and donors. Information about how to obtain the filters will soon be available.
  3299. "This action plan offers concrete steps we will take in a local, state and federal partnership to
  3300. ensure all Flint residents have safe water to drink," DEQ Director Dan Wyant said. "The DEQ will
  3301. work closely with the city to gather further data to ensure the water that leaves Flint's system as
  3302. well as the water that arrives in Flint homes is safe to drink."
  3303. Additional information is available at www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
  3304. ###
  3305. STAY CONNECTED:
  3306. n   l l ~
  3307. This email was sent to on behalf of: The Executive Office of the Governor · 111 South Capitol Avenue · Lansing, Ml 48909 · 517-
  3308. 335-7858
  3309. 3
  3310. -----Original Message-----
  3311. From: Snyder, Riel< (GOV)
  3312. Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 12:33 PM
  3313. To: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>
  3314. Cc: Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>
  3315. Subject: Re: Question to consider
  3316. We need Treasury to work with Dan and Flint on a clear side by side comparison of the health benefits and costs qf
  3317. GLWA vs. a more optimized Flint system. Also, we need to look at what financing mechanisms are available to Flint t o
  3318. pay for any higher cost actions. Please get people working on these two issues ASAP.
  3319. Thanks
  3320. Rick
  3321. Sent from my i Pad
  3322. >On Oct 2, 2015, at 8:04AM, Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov> wrote:
  3323. >
  3324. >Ole Walling, Ananich and l<ildee are pushing privately for that to be considered. We'll collect as much info as possible.
  3325. Dayne is setting up a meeting with DWSD on his own and I thought that his initiation without our encouragement or
  3326. leadership was the right way to approach it. I just told Dayne to be careful about some twist that hasn't yet been
  3327. considered.
  3328. >
  3329. » On Oct 2, 2015, at 10:57 AM, Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3330. >>
  3331. »We should help get all of the facts on the consequences of changing back vs. staying and t hen determine what
  3332. financing mechanisms we have available; If we can provide the financing, then we should let Fli nt make the decision.
  3333. >>
  3334. » Thanks
  3335. »Rick
  3336. >>
  3337. » Sent from my iPad
  3338. >>
  3339. »>On Oct 2, 2015, at 7:38AM, Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov> wrote:
  3340. »>
  3341. »> It appears on the surface (without the deep dive we' ll definitely do on it) that for $11M we can reconnect to DWSD
  3342. system for the intervening t ime before I<WA comes on line. That may well be t he only way to bring any confidence back
  3343. to the community. If you choose to do so, what if we created or expanding some revolving fund where Flint wouldn't
  3344. have to start repaying until2020 or whenever in the future to stretch the liability? If we needed to have a guarantee
  3345. perhaps we could use the Escheats of the bottle bill money as a set aside or guarantor without having to touch the
  3346. principal?
  3347. 1
  3348. -----Original Message-----
  3349. From: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3350. Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 7:38AM
  3351. To: Wurfel, Sara (GOV) <Wurfels@michigan.gov>
  3352. Cc: Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement,
  3353. El izabeth {GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>; Scott, Allison (GOV) <scot ta12@michigan.gov>
  3354. Subject: Flint water question from Mildred
  3355. She claimed that two Flint children were in critical condition over lead. Her source was Rev. Bullock. I said I wasn't
  3356. aware of that and that all of t he identified children were being tracked by public health officials. Please check on the
  3357. status of children with higher level of lead.
  3358. Thanks
  3359. Rick
  3360. Sent from my iPad
  3361. 1
  3362. From: Scott, Allison (GOV}
  3363. Sent: Tuesday, October 0 2015 8:21 AM
  3364. To: Snyder, Rick {GOV}
  3365. Subject: Fwd: Fli nt Water updates
  3366. This will be daily plan
  3367. Sent fi·om my iPhone
  3368. Begin forwarded message:
  3369. ·From:
  3370. 11
  3371. Agen, Jan·od (GOV)" <AgenJ@michigan.gov>
  3372. Date: October 6, 2015 at 8:20:24 AM EDT
  3373. To:
  3374. 11
  3375. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  3376. 11
  3377. <scottal2@michigan.gov>
  3378. Cc:
  3379. 11
  3380. Clement, Elizabeth (GOV)'' <clemente@michigan.gov>,
  3381. 11
  3382. Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  3383. 11
  3384. <muchmored@michigan.gov>
  3385. Subject: Rc: Flint Water updates
  3386. Update from Dan in briefing. Cornms to also send update for briefmg on stories or
  3387. announcements upcoming. But Dan will have most accmate testing and analysis details to report.
  3388. On Oct 6, 2015, at 8: 14AM, Scott, Allison (GOV) <scottal2@michigan.gov>
  3389. wrote:
  3390. What is most effective accurate rout? Dan provided update for briefmg each day
  3391. or does Comms shop speak to DEQ Conuns and provide?
  3392. Sent from my iPhone
  3393. We need a better update system re Flint Water.
  3394. 1
  3395. I saw in the press this am that DHHS atmounced yesterday that
  3396. water :filters would start being given out today. This should have
  3397. come internally with more detail. I had press questions last night.
  3398. Overall, we should have a daily repmt on Flint until our
  3399. recommendations are fully implemented.
  3400. For example:
  3401. 1. What are the water test results from the public schools?
  3402. 2. How many free test have been requested? How many have
  3403. been done? How many remain and how long have they been
  3404. waiting? What are the results - no lead, lead consistent with
  3405. history, higher levels?
  3406. 3. How many :filters have been distributed? How many unfulfilled
  3407. requests?
  3408. 4. New blood test results? Especially in the two zip codes.
  3409. 5. Analysis oftech advisory group
  3410. 6. Analysis of the GL WA vs. Flint River vs. KW A.
  3411. Thanks
  3412. Rick
  3413. Sent from my iPad
  3414. 2
  3415. -----0 rigi na I Message-----
  3416. From: Lyon, Nick (DHHS)
  3417. Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 9:23 PM
  3418. To: Snyder, Ri el< (GOV) Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement,
  3419. Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>; Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  3420. <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Wyant, Dan (DEQ) <WyantD@michigan.gov>; Baird, Richard (GOV) <bairdr@michigan.gov>;
  3421. Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Roberts, John (DTMB) <RobertsJ9@michigan.gov>
  3422. Cc: Becker, Timothy (DHHS) <beckert1@michlgan.gov>; Lasher, Geralyn (DHHS) <lasherg@michigan.gov>; Hertel,
  3423. Elizabeth (DHHS) <HertelE@michigan.gov>; Grijalva, Nancy (DHHS) <GrijalvaN@michigan.gov>
  3424. Subj ect: Flint Water Filter Distribution
  3425. The process of distributing water filters b e ~   n on site today in Flint from the supply purchased by MDHHS.
  3426. 909 were distri buted at MDHHS offices.
  3427. 1,869 were distributed at the local Community Action Agency locations.
  3428. 1,624 were distributed to the Flint Housing Commission for inst allation at low income housing.
  3429. 186 to earl y head start, Mott Pari< Neighborhood Association and Commissioners.
  3430. A total of 4,588 were distributed today.
  3431. It was a good f irst day and shows our commitment to action.
  3432. We wi ll continue to provide updates on f ilters through Dan.
  3433. Nick
  3434. 1
  3435. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  3436. From:
  3437. Sent:
  3438. To:
  3439. Subject:
  3440. Attachments:
  3441. Importance:
  3442. From: Wyant, Dan (DEQ)
  3443. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3444. Monday, January 18, 2016 11:26 AM
  3445. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  3446. FW: 2015-10-09 Flint Drinking Water Action Plan Update- FOIA EXEMPT AND
  3447. ATTORNEY-CliENT PRIVILEGED
  3448. 2015-10-09 Action Steps Week of October 12-16.pdf
  3449. High
  3450. Sent: Friday, October 09, 2015 4:57 PM
  3451. To: Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Agen,
  3452. Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Dickinson, Sarah (GOV) <DickinsonS@michigan.gov>; Emmitt, Beth (GOV)
  3453. <emmittb@michigan.gov>; Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3454. Cc: Wyant, Dan (DEQ) <WyantD@michigan.gov>
  3455. Subject: 2015-10-09 Flint Drinking Water Action Plan Update- FOIA EXEMPT AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED
  3456. Importance: High
  3457. Dear Governor,
  3458. Attached is our update for today, October 9, 2015.
  3459. We have included more information to the 26 Action Steps that we sent to you yesterday.
  3460. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you.
  3461. Dan Wyant
  3462. Director
  3463. 1
  3464. City of Flint Water
  3465. Action Steps for Week of October 12-16
  3466. DEQ Point(s)
  3467. Step No. Action Step Involved Parties of Contact Status
  3468. 1. Identify schools and prioritize for GCISD, GCHD, DEQ, Steve Busch
  3469. assessment DHHS, and Flint I
  3470. 2. Get DLARA plumbers organized DEQ and DLARA Steve Busch
  3471. 3. Complete sampling instructions DEQ, DHHS, and EPA Pat Cook I
  3472. 4. MDARD information for restaurants MDARD, DHHS, and DEQ Dana DeBruyn
  3473. 5. Update 2004 letter to EPA DEQ Dana DeBruyn
  3474. 6. Approve Flint plan for water line DEQ, Flint, and Genesee Mike Prysby
  3475. County
  3476. 7. Lead education plan for-schools for DHHS and DEQ Liane Shekter Smith
  3477. drinkinQ water
  3478. 8. Begin regular meetings with Flint DEQ and Flint George Krisztian
  3479. 9. Schedule Water Treatment Plant DEQ and Flint George Krisztian
  3480. tour
  3481. 10. Meet with schools and DLARA- DEQ, DLARA, and Flint Karen Tommasulo
  3482. invitation only schools
  3483. 11. Update DEQ Web page DEQ Karen Tommasulo
  3484. 12. Contact DHHS to see where they DEQ and DHHS George Krisztian
  3485. are with United Way regarding
  3486. emergency declaration
  3487. 13. Circulate protocol draft with EPA DEQ and EPA Liane Shekter Smith
  3488. 14. Contact city about homeowner DEQ and Flint George Krisztian
  3489. sample delive_ry_
  3490. 15. Communicate to MDARD and Flint DEQ, MDARD, and Flint Liane Shekter Smith Liane to call MDARD
  3491. that business samples should be George Krisztian and
  3492. coordinated though DEQ laboratory George to call Flint
  3493. 1 October 9, 2015
  3494. I
  3495. DEQ Point(s)
  3496. Step No. Action Step Involved Parties of Contact Status
  3497. 16. Figure out number of samples from DEQ Liane Shekter Smith
  3498. schools and child care facilities Pat Cook
  3499. Steve Busch
  3500. 17. Confirm Linda Dykema is Point of DEQ George Krisztian Done
  3501. Contact for DHHS
  3502. 18. Contact KVVA to find out if there are DEQ and KVVA Mike Prysby
  3503. any bottlenecks we need to remove
  3504. 19. Expedite 399 Plan and Phosphate DEQ and Flint Mike Prysby
  3505. Plan
  3506. 20. Get update on service line index DEQ and Flint Steve Busch
  3507. card conversion and identify where
  3508. partial replacements exist
  3509. 21. Make sure DHHS gets information DEQ and DHHS Steve Busch
  3510. so they_ can cross reference
  3511. 22. Legislative contacts DEQ Maggie Pallone Conference call with
  3512. Sen. Jim Ananich
  3513. scheduled for
  3514. October 12 at 3 pm
  3515. 23. Legislative time line and summary DEQ Maggie Pallone
  3516. 24. Reconnect with State DEQ and Department of Dan Wyant Mary Beth Thelen to
  3517. Superintendent Brian Whiston Education schedule
  3518. 25. Conduct After Action Plan DEQ George Krisztian To be scheduled for
  3519. October 15
  3520. 26. Change Part 54 of NREPA- DEQ, Treasury, and EPA Maggie Pallone
  3521. Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Liane Shekter Smith
  3522. Sonya Butler
  3523. -
  3524. 2 October 9, 2015
  3525. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3526. From: Duncan, Nancy (DTMB)
  3527. Sent:
  3528. To:
  3529. Thursday, October 08, 2015 8:41 AM
  3530. Roberts, John (DTMB); Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3531. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Agen, Jarrod (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Posthumus,
  3532. Dick (GOV); Wyant, Dan (DEQ); Scott, Allison (GOV)
  3533. Subject: RE: Flint Funding Request
  3534. Attachments: City of Flint Water Funding Solution.pdf
  3535. The DHHS number (for follow-up on children with elevated blood levels) increased slightly from $600k to $8501<, bringing
  3536. the total state commitment to $10.6m gross/$8.2m GF. Revised chart attached.
  3537. From: Roberts, John (DTMB)
  3538. Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 7:20PM
  3539. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3540. Cc: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV); Agen, Jarrod (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Posthumus, Dick (GOV); Wyant, Dan
  3541. (DEQ); Duncan, Nancy (DTMB); Scott, Allison (GOV)
  3542. Subject: Fl int Funding Request
  3543. Governor-
  3544. Attached is a summary of the funding recommendations, from the departments, to address the Flint Water
  3545. situation. The total state commitment would be $10.4m; $7.9m of that amount is GF/GP. [The DHHS
  3546. number needs to be verified tomonow morning, but the final number should be close to this estimate.]
  3547. The funding will address 4 priority areas:
  3548. 1. Provision of filters for residential service;
  3549. 2. 50% of the estimated cost to reconnect temporarily to the Detroit Water System;
  3550. 3. Funding for testing water samples; and
  3551. 4. Other state assistance (e.g., home/school/health facility inspections and follow-up for children
  3552. with elevated blood levels).
  3553. We are preparing a formal supplemental request to transmit to the Legislature tomorrow. I intend to talk with
  3554. Rep. Pscholka and Sen. Hildenbrand about including this funding in HB 41 02, the pending supplemental bill
  3555. now awaiting House concunence. Assuming that they agree, we would ask for final action next week.
  3556. Are you ok proceeding with these numbers?
  3557. John
  3558. 1
  3559. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  3560. From:
  3561. Sent:
  3562. To:
  3563. Subject:
  3564. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  3565. Wednesday, October 07, 2015 7:19 PM
  3566. Dickinson, Sarah (GOV); Snyder, Rick (GOV); Emmitt, Beth (GOV)
  3567. Fwd: Flint Drinking Water Action Plan Update- FOIA EXEMPT AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT
  3568. PRIVILEGED
  3569. Attachments: City of Flint Water Funding Solution. pdf; A TTOOOOl.htm; FLINT SCHOOL TESTING
  3570. RESULTS.DOCX; ATT00002.htm; Drinking Water Regulations for Monitoring of Lead in
  3571. Schools and Chil d C.. .. doc; ATT00003.htm; Response to Corrosion Control
  3572. Questions.docx; ATT00004.htm; Fwd: TAC Meeting Highlights; ATTOOOOS.htm; CC
  3573. Meeting Minutes 3-25-2013 (1).doc; ATT00006.htm; Flint.pdf; ATT00007.htm; KWA
  3574. Contract (amended) 130165.2.pdf; ATT00008.htm
  3575. We will put in pdf for you
  3576. Sent from my iPhone
  3577. Begin forwarded message:
  3578. From: "Wyant, Dan (DEQ)" <WyantD@michigan.gov>
  3579. Date: October 7, 2015 at 7:09:27 PM EDT
  3580. To: "Scott, Allison (GOV)" <scotta12@michigan.gov>, "Muchmore, Dennis (GOV}"
  3581. <muchmored@michigan.gov>, "Agen, Jarrod (GOV}" <AgenJ@michigan.gov>, "Dickinson, Sarah (GOV)"
  3582. <DickinsonS@michigan.gov>, "Emmitt, Beth (GOV)" <emmittb@michigan.gov>
  3583. Subject: Flint Drinking Water Action Plan Update- FOIA EXEMPT AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED
  3584. Governor Snyder,
  3585. I wanted to provide you with the attached documents to address a number of the
  3586. questions that you are asking today. A full briefing for the press conference, including
  3587. press release, talking points, run of show, and frequently asked questions, will be
  3588. provided by your team. Included in this e-mail are the following attachments:
  3589. 1. Flint Drinking Water FY 2016 supplemental budget request summary
  3590. 2. Summary of the Flint schools water testing results and our response to the
  3591. results
  3592. 3. Drinking water regulations for monitoring lead in schools and child care centers
  3593. 4. Response to the questions on corrosion control
  3594. 5. Summary of today's Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee meeting
  3595. 6. Flint City Council Minutes from March 25, 2013; the Resolution to Purchase
  3596. Capacity from Karegnondi Water Authority; and the Amended Contract
  3597. Other Updates
  3598. Mayor Duggan and Sue McCormick of DWSD were contacted, briefed, and are
  3599. supporting tomorrow's announcement. Both have indicated they would provide positive
  3600. comments supporting the decision.
  3601. Dan Wyant
  3602. 1
  3603. Governor Rick Snyder
  3604. October 8, 2015
  3605. Supplemental Briefing from DWyant
  3606. Contents : Pages
  3607. Summary: Flint Drinking Water FY2016
  3608. 2
  3609. Supplemental Budget Request
  3610. Summary: Flint Schools Water Testing Results 3
  3611. Drinking Water Regulations for Monitoring Lead in Schools &
  3612. 4 - 5
  3613. Childcare Centers
  3614. Response to Questions on Corrosion Control 6
  3615. Summary: Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory
  3616. 7
  3617. Committee Meeting notes from 10-7-2015
  3618. City Council Items:
  3619. 1. Flint City Council Minutes from 3-25-13- Page 8
  3620. 2. Resolution to Purchase Capacity from Karegnondi Water 8-28
  3621. Authority- Page 20
  3622. 3. Amended Contract - Page 27
  3623. ***NOTE: Other Update (from body ofDWyant email; no document attached)
  3624. Mayor Duggan and Sue McCormick ofDWSD were contacted, briefed, and are supporting
  3625. tomorrow's announcement. Both have indicated they would provide positive comments
  3626. supp01ting the decision.
  3627. 5:52PM 10/7/2015
  3628. City of Flint Water - Funding Solution
  3629. State of Michigan Commitment
  3630. -----==-il= -i-_
  3631. i FiJters: i l ! i i - i
  3632. !Health _________ T!-$1,o16,ooo!--$l,o16,oooTTAY15 ;-;;rk project----------------------- -----------------1
  3633. rH·--1 ____ Sl ___ o_o_o __ o_o __
  3634. , eat uman erv1ces , , . . , • ,
  3635. : : : : : :services local office (FY16 appropriation). :
  3636.  
  3637. : Subtotal Filters:: l $1,016,000: $2,016,000: : :
  3638. 1--------------------H---- --------!-+--------------- ---------------i
  3639. I II I I I I
  3640. I I I I I I J
  3641. r , . -----------·------
  3642. I II I It I
  3643. I I I I 1 I I
  3644. r--- rr---· i -$1.3m/month X 9 mos. to be shared by state & !
  3645. :Reconnect to DSW: : : : : :
  3646. 1
  3647. :
  3648. : ! : ; ! •F int ;
  3649. .. ___________________________________________ _...__ .,.___________     ...------·-------------
  3650. !Environmental Quality ! ! $5,000,000! $6,000,000! iDEQState Restricted Settlement Fund of $1m; balance GF/GP :
  3651. $s,ooo, ooa:
  3652. :--------------- ---n----------,---------------rr-----------------------------------------------------1
  3653. I I I I I I I
  3654. I I I ' I I 1
  3655. --------------------"l
  3656. !Testing Costs: i ! : : i !
  3657.   ______ f1----sl,oOo:Ooois1Poo:oOOfTAciditional tests at state lab; cost per sample: $26 !
  3658. Subtotal Testing: !! $l, OOO,ooor---$l,OOO:ooof l - ---------------------;
  3659. P---- -- ---- ----------- -------------------·- ------·-- 1 I I I I I I
  3660. I I J I I I I
  3661. }------------
  3662. :Additional Agency Support· : : : : : :
  3663. .. ---------...
  3664. I I I I J I I
  3665. i i i $ i $ l !support for plumbing inspectors to do schools (public and parochial) and l
  3666. :LARA o: 200
  3667. 1
  3668. 000: I . . . :
  3669. i ; ! ! l !health facilit1es (hospitals, Long Term Care, etc.). i
  3670. I I I I I I I
  3671.  
  3672. iMSHDA i i $0; $249,900j i l
  3673. !Health&-Human-Services _______ f! $600,000! on
  3674. Quality--------;; $300,000! S300,000i !Home and school inspections. ---- ---------l
  3675. ! [1 $900,000! -----]
  3676. ..-------- --,---------c--r------------------ ----------------,
  3677. I II I I I I
  3678. i---------------------- -----H·-------i-- ------------------i
  3679. J •1 I I I I
  3680. J II I I I I
  3681. r----- ALL TOTAL ! j- $7,916,000! $i0,365,900!!·-------------------------------------------------1
  3682. ---- ----------------....!-1.----------------------------------------------------
  3683. PRELIMINARY DRAFT
  3684. . FliNT SCHOOL TESTING RESULTS:
  3685. WHAT DID WE FIND?
  3686. 1) The results of the initi al screening conducted over the course ofthe last week are consistent with t he last round of
  3687. community lead and copper t esting.
  3688. 2) There were a tot al of 37 samples taken from 13 schools. Of t hose 37 samples, 4 exceeded the 15 ppb action level.
  3689. There were 3 schools that had samples exceeding the action level: Eisenhower Elementary (which had two samples
  3690. exceeding 15 ppb). Brownell STEM Academy and Freeman Elementary each had one sample exceeding 15 PPI3. The
  3691. sample from Freeman Academy was significantly higher than the other samples at 101 PPB.
  3692. 3) Looking at the data from a health based perspective, the data clearly demonstrates that more detailed sampling
  3693. needs to occur so that the various sources of lead contamination contained within each respective school's plumbing
  3694. can be identified and addressed.
  3695. WHAT DOES THE DATA MEAN?
  3696. 1} The data underscores the need for a complete and thorough evaluation of the plumbing system within each school.
  3697. 2} We have developed a protocol for evaluating the plumbing systems and we will be working with schools to implement
  3698. these protocols and to assist them in determining a corrective action plan to address this issue.
  3699. 3} The State is identifying staff within DEQ, DHHS, LARA and Local County Health Departments· to assist schools in
  3700. conducting evaluations of their plumbing systems.
  3701. WHAT IS YOUR PROTOCOL?
  3702. 1) DEQ's protocols are based on similar work done in Michigan and in other States.
  3703. 2) Multiple samples from each tap used for cooking or drinking water will be collected at prescribed intervals to identify
  3704. levels of lead and its li kely source.
  3705. 3) Once an evaluation is complete, we will be able to assist each School in developing a comprehensive plan to address
  3706. Issues on a site specific basis.
  3707. HOW DO SCHOOLS RESPOND?
  3708. 1} Schools should continue protective measures that are currently in place until a complete study can be conducted at
  3709. each school. This includes the continued use of bottled waterfor· consumption purposes.
  3710. 2) We will be reaching out to schools to schedule a complete evaluation, assessment and sampling, of thei r plumbi ng
  3711. systems.
  3712. Drinking Water Regulations for Monitoring of Lead in Schools and Child Care Centers
  3713. There is no f ederal or Michigan law requiring sampling of drinking water in schools that recei ve water from other public
  3714. water syst ems, although schools that have their own water supply are subj ect to regulation and sampling as non-
  3715. community publi c water systems. Schools served by a public water system may be included as a sampling site (i.e., tap)
  3716. for a public water system's lead and copper monitori ng program if there are insufficient single-family homes that
  3717. qualify. There are no federal requirements for more ext ensive testing.
  3718. The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requi red EPA to develop regul ations to control for lead in
  3719. drinking water. The Lead and Copper Rul e (LCR), issued in 1991, is focused on controlling corrosion within the
  3720. distributi on system that delivers water to customers. The 1986 SDWA Amendments also required that only lead-free
  3721. materials be used in new plumbing and in plumbing repairs.
  3722. In 1988, the SDWA was further amended by the Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA), to reduce the exposure of lead
  3723. to children In schools and child care facilities. The LCCA prohibited the sale of any drinking water cooler that is not lead-
  3724. free and requi red t hat:
  3725. o the EPA identify each brand and model of drinking water cooler, indicating which are lead free and which have a lead-
  3726. lined tank and distribute the list to states (SDWA Sec. 1463),
  3727. o the Consumer Product Safety Commission order that manufacturers and importers of all drinking water coolers
  3728. identified as having a lead-lined tank repair, replace, or recall and provide a refund for such coolers (SDWA Sec. 1462),
  3729. o the EPA publish a guidance document and t esting protocol to assist st ates in determining the source and degree of
  3730. lead contamination in school drinking water (SDWA Sec. 1464), and
  3731. o states establish programs to assist schools and child care facilities to test for and remedy lead contamination
  3732. problems, with public availability of results of such testing (SDWA Sec. 1464(d)).
  3733. As a result of a 1996 court decision, States are not required to establish testing programs. In its decision, the Fifth Ci rcuit
  3734. held that provisions in section 1464(d) were unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment t o the U.S. Constitution
  3735. because they directly compelled the st ate to enact and enforce a federal regul atory program and provided no options
  3736. for the State to decline the program. The decision did not, however, restrict states from developing and carrying out
  3737. their own programs to assist schools.
  3738. In 1989 and subsequent years, EPA released guidance and information to inform states and school systems how to test
  3739. for and reduce the risk of lead exposure In school r i n k i n ~ water. EPA's guidance provides a protocol for testing water
  3740. in schools and recommends that schools take action at fixtures where t he lead concentration exceeds 20 ppb. This
  3741. concentration differs from the 15 ppb action level that public water systems are required to follow. The 20 ppb action
  3742. level is based on a smaller sample collection volume of 250 mill/liters (ml) and is designed to pinpoint specific
  3743. fountains and outlets that require attention.
  3744. In 1990, Michigan did provide schools and licensed child care centers with information to assist in testing and remedying
  3745. potential lead contamination of their drinking water as required by the Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988. This
  3746. information included a sampling protocol and guidance on f lushing their system to minimize lead exposure.
  3747. In 2004, EPA surveyed states to determine what additional programs may exist to control exposure to lead in drinking
  3748. water at school s and child care centers. Forty- nine states, Puerto Rico, t he District of Columbia and the Navajo Nation
  3749. responded. Only 16 respondents Indicated they have or will conduct special sampling or studies to target lead exposure
  3750. at schools and child care centers. Michigan has not included any additional sampling programs or studies. However,
  3751. some local agencies have conducted voluntary programs. For example, the W.l(. Kellogg Foundation funded a program
  3752. implemented by t he Calhoun County Health Department that sampled schools in Battle Creek. In Michigan's response
  3753. to this EPA survey, we included a recommendation for EPA to al low schools to be considered as a primary LCR
  3754. monitoring site so that more information about lead levels in schools would become available. However, no changes in
  3755. sampling criteria have occurred to date.
  3756. In 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the EPA, the Department of Education, the Centers for
  3757. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the America n Water Works Association, the Association of Metropolitan Water
  3758. Agencies, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, the National Association of Water Companies and the
  3759. National Rural Water Association to facilitate actions that reduce children's exposure to lead from drinking water at
  3760. schools and child care fa ci lities.
  3761. Across the country and in Michigan, most schools and child care facilities receive water from other community water
  3762. systems. However, those schools that have their own source of drinking water are considered non-transient non-
  3763. community water systems and are subj ect to the LCR. In Michigan, t here are 755 such schools and child care centers
  3764. that must monitor for lead to demonstrate compliance.
  3765. Response to Corrosion Control Questions
  3766. - lime Softening can affect the pH in water
  3767. -The pH of the water is one physical characteristic that ca n affect the leaching of lead from pipes into
  3768. the water
  3769. -As per the requirements in the Lead/Copper rule t he Flint Water system was evaluated for two
  3770. consect,Jtlve monitoring periods and the results ofthe monitoring demonstrated that further action was
  3771. necessary.
  3772. - The DEQ promptly notified the Flint water system of the need for additional measures and the city of
  3773. Flint promptly began putting toget her an action plan to address this need.
  3774. From: SVgo. Jim COEO)
  3775. To:
  3776. Subject:
  3777. ]Jelen. Marv Beth CDEOl; Shaler. Karen CDEO); Wyant. Dan CDEOl
  3778. Fwd: TAC Meeting Highlights
  3779. Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 6:00:30 P ~  
  3780. Summary of advisory committee meeting
  3781. Sent from my iPhone
  3782. Begin forwarded message:
  3783. From: "Prysby, Mike (DEQ)" <PRYSBYM@michigan.gov>
  3784. Date: October 7, 2015 at 4:56:44 PM EDT
  3785. To: "Sygo, Jim (DEQ)" <SygoJ@michigan.gov>
  3786. Subject: TAC Meeting Highlights
  3787. Below is a summary of the Flint TAC meeting to obtain the committee
  3788. 1
  3789. s
  3790. endorsement to switch back to Detroit water.
  3791. 1. The TAC endorses the switch back to the DWSD
  3792. 2. Marc Edwards of VA Tech supports the switchover to DWSD with conclusion
  3793. that Flint River water with corrosion control will still be 4 times more corrosive
  3794. than water from DWSD after 5 weeks of treatment.
  3795. 3. Genesee County states two weeks to prepare pipeline for re-use (flush,
  3796. disinfect, sample, etc)
  3797. 4. Supplemental corrosion control still needed with DWSD water and ACT 399
  3798. submittal can be made in approx one week.
  3799. 5. No pros were brought to the table for staying on the Flint River.
  3800. Sent from my iPhone
  3801. City of Flint,
  3802. Third Floor, City Hall
  3803. 1101 S. Saginaw Street
  3804. Flint, Michigan 48502
  3805. www. cityofflint. com
  3806. Meeting Minutes Draft
  3807. Monday, March 25, 2013
  3808. 5:33PM
  3809. Agenda amended to include Board of Hospital Managers appointments
  3810. Council Chambers
  3811. CITY COUNCIL
  3812. Scott Kincaid, President, Ward 9
  3813. Bryant W. Nolden, Vice President, Ward 3
  3814. Claudia Croom, Ward 1 Jacqueline   Ward 2
  3815. Joshua M. Freeman, Ward 4 Bernard Lawler, Ward 5
  3816. Sheldon A. Neeley, Ward 6 Dale K. Weigh ill, Ward 7
  3817. Michael J. Sarginson, Ward 8
  3818. Inez M. Brown, City Clerk
  3819. CITY COUNCIL Meeting Minutes -Draft March 25, 2013
  3820. CALL TO ORDER
  3821. President Scott Kincaid called the meeting to order at 5:33p.m.
  3822. ROLL CALL
  3823. Councilperson Michael Sarginson arrived at 5:37p.m.
  3824. Present: Councilperson: Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson
  3825. Freeman, Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  3826. Kincaid, Councilperson Weighill and Council person Croom
  3827. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  3828. Counci/person Sheldon Neeley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
  3829. SPECIAL ORDER
  3830. 130217 Special Order/Information & Discussion/Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA)
  3831. A Special Order as requested by Council President Scott Kincaid to continue
  3832. discussion and review of information on the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA).
  3833. Presented
  3834. PETITIONS AND UNOFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS
  3835. 130193
  3836. 130199
  3837. 130200
  3838. City of Flint, Michigan
  3839. Change to Digital/All Limited Basic Service Channels/Comcast Cablevislon
  3840. Communication dated March 6, 2013, from Gerald W. Smith, Government Affairs
  3841. Manager, Comcast, to Flint City Clerk, re: On or shortly after April 9, 2013, Comcast
  3842. will convert all Limited Basic service channels -- including Public, Government and
  3843. Educational Access (PEG) channels to digital format, and will provide customers
  3844. with digital equipment.
  3845. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3846. Certified Letter/Loyst Fletcher, Jr. & Associates
  3847. Communication received from Loyst Fletcher, Jr. to Chief Legal Officer, re: He
  3848. questions the tax-exempt status of Word of Life Christian Church, which received a
  3849. tax bill from the city.
  3850. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3851. Local Approval Notice/Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC)mme
  3852. Square/Ward 3
  3853. Local Approval Notice dated March 14, 2013, f rom MLCC to Flint City Clerk, re: The
  3854. MLCC has received a request to transfer all stock in 2012 Class C license with
  3855. Sunday Sales Permit (PM) and Dance Permit, located at 4522 N. Saginaw,
  3856. Page1 Printed on tl/2/2013
  3857. CITY COUNCIL
  3858. 130202
  3859. 130204
  3860. 130205
  3861. 130207
  3862. Meeting Minutes - Dl'aft Mal'ch 25, 2013
  3863. Fl int, Michigan, 48505, Genesee County, held by the estate of Myra Seals, Inc.,
  3864. 1028 Cora Dr., Flint, Ml 48532, to Carisa Mays Bishop, Personal Representative.
  3865. [NOTE: Approval order enclosed.]
  3866. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3867. Local Approval Notice/Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC)/D & R Market,
  3868. Inc./Ward 6
  3869. Local Approval Notice dated March 6, 2013, and received March 15, 2013, from
  3870. MLCC to Flint City Clerk, re: The MLCC has received an application from 2 MR,
  3871. LLC, requesting to Transfer Ownership of a Specially Designated Distributor (SOD)
  3872. and Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) licensed business with Sunday Sales
  3873. permit (PM) and Direct Connection-! to D & R Market, Inc., located at 1402-1404 N.
  3874. Chevrolet, Fl int, Michigan, 48504, Genesee County, from 2 MR, LLC, 3079
  3875. Shattuck Arms Blvd., Apt. 5, Saginaw, Ml 48603. [NOTE: The application was
  3876. cancelled pursuant to a request from an attorney.]
  3877. Thi s matter was Placed on File. The moti on carri ed.
  3878. Changes/Cable Channel Lineup/Comcast Cablevision
  3879. Communication dated March 18, 2013, from Gerald W. Smith, Government Affairs
  3880. Manager, Comcast, to Flint City Clerk, re: effective on or about May 22, 2013, Fox
  3881. Business Network/Fox Business Networl< HD (ch. 06/243) will from the Digital
  3882. Preferred Service to the Digital Starter Service.
  3883. Thi s matter was Placed on File. The motion carri ed.
  3884. Media Alert/Flint Public Art ProjecVAnnouncement of Design Winner
  3885. Media Alert received via e-mail on March 19, 2013, from the American Institute of
  3886. Architects (AlA) , re: The Flint Public Art Proj ect and the Flint Chapter of the AlA will
  3887. announce the winner of the $25,000.00 grand prize in the inaugural Flat Lot
  3888. competition to design and build a temporary summer pavilion on Flint's central
  3889. downtown parking lot at 9:30a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013, at the John Gazall &
  3890. Associates, Matt Building, 503 S. Saginaw Street, Flint.
  3891. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carri ed.
  3892. Damage Claims
  3893. MAYFI ELD, LINDA, 2518 Walter Street, Flint, Ml (WARD 2)
  3894. LANE, WILLIE C., 3130 Concord Street, Flint, Ml (WARD 6)
  3895. This matter was Placed on File. The mot i on can·led.
  3896. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
  3897. 130194 Press Release/City of FlinVHiring of New Police Officers/Recruitment of Others
  3898. Press Release dated March 11, 2013, from Jason Lorenz, City of Flint Public
  3899. City of Flint, Michigan Page2 Printed on 41212013
  3900. CITY COUNCIL
  3901. 130195
  3902. 130196
  3903. 130201
  3904. 130203
  3905. City of Flint, Mfcll/gan
  3906. Meeting Minutes - Draft March 25, 2013
  3907. Information Officer, re: The City of Flint has seven new police officers on the job
  3908. from the public safety millage passed last November by voters. The city's next step
  3909. is to hold a recrui tment drive by working with a local college, which will set up a
  3910. Police Academy when the city has gathered sufficient interest from its efforts.
  3911. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3912. Press Release/City of Flint/Sunday Sales of Alcohol Before Noon Not Permitted on
  3913. St. Patrick's Day
  3914. Press Release dated March 12, 2013, from Jason Lorenz, City of Flint Public
  3915. Information Officer, re: The City of Flint will not be able to permit Sunday alcohol
  3916. sales before noon this Sunday, March 17, St: Patrick's Day. While the city adopted
  3917. a resolution to allow a one-time exception to the Sunday morning alcohol ban, the
  3918. Michigan Liquor Control Commission has taken the position that the city cannot
  3919. create a one-day exemption.
  3920. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3921. Flint City Council/Public Notice/Special City Council Meeting/March 18, 2013
  3922. Public Notice posted March 14, 2013, re: The Flint City Council will hold a Special
  3923. City Council Meeting, followed by a Finance Committee Meeting, at 5:30 p.m.
  3924. Monday, March 18, 2013, in the City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall, to
  3925. consider a contract with the Karegnondi Water Authority ('t<M/A).
  3926. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3927. Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) Order #1 0/Grant Applications
  3928. Order #1 0 issued by Emergency Financial Manager on March 15, 2013, "Grant
  3929. Applications," re: "all city officials, department heads, division heads and employees
  3930. shall adhere to ... requirements regarding the approval of any and all grant
  3931. applications on behalf of the City of Flint or grant appl ications submitted by others
  3932. which in any way involves the financial, programmatic or personnel support by the
  3933. City of Flint." The five requirements, including the stipulation that only the
  3934. Emergency Financial Manager or City Administrator are authorized to accept grants
  3935. on behalf of the city, are included in the order.
  3936. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3937. Press Release/City of Flint/Flint Lifelines/Meeting Announcement
  3938. Press Release dated March 16, 2013, from Jason Lorenz, City of Flint Public
  3939. Information Officer, re: Flint Lifelines, formerly CeaseFire Flint, will hold community
  3940. meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday,
  3941. March 28, 2013 at Flint Northwestern High School. The meetings are open to the
  3942. public.
  3943. This matter was Pl aced on File. The motion carried.
  3944. Page3 Printed on 4/212013
  3945. CITY COUNCIL
  3946. 130206
  3947. 130208
  3948. 130209
  3949. Meeting Minutes - Draft March 2!i, 2013
  3950. Flint City Council /Public Notice/Finance Committee Meeting/March 20, 2013
  3951. Public Notice posted March 19,2013, re: The Flint City Council will hold a Finance
  3952. Committee Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013, in the City Council
  3953. Committee Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall.
  3954. Thi s matter was Placed on File. The motion carri ed.
  3955. Flint City Council/Public Notice/Special Affairs Committee Meeting/March 25, 201 3
  3956. Public Notice posted March 22, 2013, re: The Flint City Council will hold a Special
  3957. Affairs Committee Meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2013, in the City Council
  3958. Committee Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall. A regular City Council meeting will
  3959. immediately follow in the Council Chambers.
  3960. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3961. Traffic Engineering/Note for Bulletin/Street-Si dewalk-Lane Closures
  3962. Notes for Bulletin (3) dated February/March 2013, for street, sidewalk, or lane
  3963. closures, re: (1) Harrison Street, Saginaw Street and Second Avenue (cable
  3964. failure-March 11-March 20); (2) First Street, Harrison Street, Wallenberg, Kearsley,
  3965. Crapo, Horrigan, and Harrison (St. Patrick's Day Pot 0' Gold 4-Mil Run/Walk-March
  3966. 17); and (3) Chevrolet Avenue (University Corner Grand Opening-March 22) .
  3967. This matter was Placed on File. The motion carried.
  3968. Passed The Consent Agenda
  3969. A motion was made. The motion carried.
  3970. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
  3971. ROLL CALL
  3972. Councilperson Dale Weighillleft at approximately 7 p.m.
  3973. Present: Councilperson: Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Counciiperson
  3974. Freeman, Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarglnson,
  3975. Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  3976. Absent: Council person: Councilperson Weighill
  3977. APPOINTMENTS
  3978. 130169.1
  3979. City of Flillf, Michigan
  3980. Amendment/Reappointment/Zoning Board of Appeals/Christine Monk (Ward 6)
  3981. Amended resolution resolving that the Flint City Council recommends the
  3982. reappointment of Chri stine Monk (821 Frank Street, Flint Ml 48504- Ward 6), to
  3983. the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term, commencing September
  3984. Page 4 Printed on 41212013
  3985. CITY COUNCIL
  3986. 130211
  3987. 130212
  3988. 130213
  3989. City of Flint, Michigan
  3990. IVleeting Minutes - Draft March 25, 2013
  3991. 1, 2011, and expiring September 1, 2014. [By way of background, Ms. Monk's term
  3992. on the Zoning Board of Appeals expired in September 2011, but she has continued
  3993. since that t ime to serve.] [Resolution amended to fix typographical error in first
  3994. paragraph of resolution from "Board of Review" to "Zoning Board of Appeals."]
  3995. Sponsors: Sheldon A. Neeley
  3996. A motion was made by Councilperson Neeley, seconded by Councilperson Freeman,
  3997. that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  3998. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  3999. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Counci lperson Sarginson,
  4000. President Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  4001. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4002. Appointment/Zoning Board of Appeals/Chris Zuwala (Ward 4)
  4003. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council recommends the appointment of
  4004. Chris Zuwala (351 0 Whittier Avenue, Flint Ml 48506- Ward 4) to the Zoning Board
  4005. of Appeals for a three-year term, expiring September 1, 2013. [NOTE: By way of
  4006. background, Gloria Kelly's term as the 4th Ward representative expired in
  4007. September 2007, but she continued to serve until resi gning in January 2013.)
  4008. Sponsors: Joshua M. Freeman
  4009. A motion was made by Councilperson Freeman, seconded by Councllperson Poplar,
  4010. that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4011. Aye: 8- Council person Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4012. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4013. President Kincai d and Councilperson Croom
  4014. Absent: 1 - Counci lperson Weighifl
  4015. Reappointment/Zoning Board of Appeals/Birdie V. Brooks (Ward 5)
  4016. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council recommends the reappointment of
  4017. Birdie V. Brooks (1307 Columbia Lane, Flint Ml 48503 -Ward 5), to the Zoning
  4018. Board of Appeals for the remainder of a three-year term, expiring September 1,
  4019. 2014. [By way of background, Ms. Brook's term on the Zoning Board of Appeals
  4020. expired in September 2011, but she has continued since that time to serve.]
  4021. Sponsors:
  4022. Bernard Lawler
  4023. A motion was made by Councilperson Lawler, seconded by Councilperson Neeley,
  4024. that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4025. Aye: 8- Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4026. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4027. President Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  4028. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4029. PageG Printed on 41212013
  4030. CITY COUNCIL
  4031. 130214
  4032. 130215
  4033. City of Flint, Michigan
  4034. Meeting Minutes -Draft March 25, 2013
  4035. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council recommends the reappointment of
  4036. Marcia Braden (984 Barney Avenue, Flint Ml 48503 -Ward 8), to the Zoning
  4037. Board of Appeals for the remainder of a three-year term, expiring September 1,
  4038. 2014. [By way of background, Ms. Braden's term on the Zoning Board of Appeals
  4039. expired in September 2011 , but she has continued since that time to serve.]
  4040. Sponsors: Michael J. Sarginson
  4041. A motion was made by Councilperson Sarginson, seconded by Councilperson
  4042. Freeman, that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4043. Aye: 8- Council person Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4044. Counciiperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4045. President l<incaid and Councilperson Croom
  4046. Absent: 1 - Counciiperson Weighill
  4047. Reappointment/Zoning Board of Appeals/David C. Veasley (Ward 9)
  4048. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council recommends the reappointment of
  4049. David C. Veasley (2618 Pinetree Drive, Flint Ml 48507 - Ward 9), to the Zoning
  4050. Board of Appeals for the remainder of a three-year term, expiring September 1,
  4051. 2015. [By way of background, Mr. Veasley's term on the Zoning Board of Appeals
  4052. expired in September 2009, but he has continued since that time to serve.]
  4053. Sponsors: Scott Kincaid
  4054. A motion was made by Councilperson Freeman, seconded by Vice President Nolden,
  4055. that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4056. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Counciiperson Freeman,
  4057. Councilperson Lawler, Councllperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4058. President Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  4059. Absent: 1 - Counciiperson Weigh ill
  4060. Appointment/Genesee County Land Bank Citizens' Advisory Council/Anthony
  4061. Tucker (Ward 4)
  4062. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council recommends the appointment of
  4063. Anthony Tucker (2960 Henry Street, Flint Ml 48506 - Ward 4) to the Genesee
  4064. County Land Bank Citizens' Advisory Council for t he remai nder of a three-year
  4065. term, expiring in January 2016. [NOTE: By way of background, Dan Anderson's
  4066. term as the 4th Ward representative expired in January 2013.]
  4067. Sponsors: Joshua M. Freeman
  4068. A motion was made by Council person Freeman, seconded by Council person Poplar,
  4069. that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4070. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4071. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarglnson,
  4072. President l<incaid and Councilperson Croom
  4073. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4074. Page6 Printed on4/212013
  4075. CITY COUNCIL
  4076. 130218
  4077. 130219
  4078. 130220
  4079. City of Flint, Michigan
  4080. Meeting Minutes - Draft March 25, 2013
  4081. Reappointment/Hurley Board of Hospital Managers/Philip W. Shaltz
  4082. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council approves the reappointment of Philip
  4083. W. Shaltz (14144 Moffet Drive, Fenton, Ml48430) to an additional five-year term on
  4084. the (Hurley) Board of Hospital Managers, with such term to commence May 1,
  4085. 2013, and expire April30, 2018.
  4086. A motion was made by Council person Freeman, seconded by Vice President Nolden,
  4087. that this matter• be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4088. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4089. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4090. President l<incaid and Councilperson Croom
  4091. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Wei ghill
  4092. Appointment/Hurley Board of Hospital Managers/Delrico Loyd
  4093. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council approves the appointment of Del rico
  4094. Loyd (2641 Westwood Parkway, Flint, Ml48507) to a five-year term on the (Hurley)
  4095. Board of Hospital Managers, with such term to commence May 1, 2013, and expire
  4096. April 30, 2018. [By way of background, Carl E. Mason was appointed in June 2008;
  4097. his term expires April 30, 2013.]
  4098. Approved
  4099. Substituted
  4100. A motion was made by Councilperson Neeley, seconded by Councilperson Lawler•,
  4101. that this matter be POSTPONED for March 27, 2013. The motion failed by the
  4102. following vote:
  4103. Aye: 3 - Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley and Councilperson Sarglnson
  4104. No: 5 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4105. Presidenll<incaid and Councilperson Croom
  4106. Absent: 1 - Counci lperson Weighill
  4107. Substituted
  4108. A motion was made by Vice President Nolden, seconded by Councilperson Freeman,
  4109. that this matter be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4110. Aye: 5 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4111. President l<incaid and Councllperson Croom
  4112. No: 3 - Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley and Councilperson Sarginson
  4113. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighiil
  4114. Appointment/Hurley Board of Hospital Managers/Donna Poplar
  4115. Resolution resolving that the Flint City Council approves the appointment of Donna
  4116. Popl9r (5277 Kimberly Woods Circle, Flint, Ml 48504) to a five-year term
  4117. Page7 Printed on 41212013
  4118. CITY COUNCIL Meeting Minutes - Draft March 25, 2013
  4119. on the (Hurley) Board of Hospital Managers, with such term to commence May 1,
  4120. 2013, and expire April 30, 2018. [By way of background, Frances Gilcreast was
  4121. appointed in August 2008; her term expires April 30, 2013.]
  4122. Approved
  4123. Substituted
  4124. A motion was made by Councilperson Lawler, seconded by Council person Neeley,
  4125. that this matter be POSTPONED for March 26, 2013. The motion carried by the
  4126. following vote:
  4127. Aye: 7- Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Lawler,
  4128. Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson, President Kincaid and
  4129. Councilperson Croom
  4130. No: 1 - Councilperson Freeman
  4131. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4132. RESOLUTIONS
  4133. 130165.1
  4134. 130165.2
  4135. City of Flint, Michigan
  4136. Amended Resolution/Contract/City of Flint/Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA)
  4137. Amended resolution resolving that city officials are authorized to enter into a
  4138. contract with Karegnondi Water Authority (I<M/A) to purchase fifteen (15) units of
  4139. capacity, AND, resolving that the City Administrator is authorized to provide KWA
  4140. information needed to administer the contract, and, with approval of the Chief Legal
  4141. Officer, to make minor (non-material) modifications to the contract. [NOTE: For
  4142. each unit of capacity that a member purchases, the buyer shall pay to the KWA a
  4143. one-time fee of $32,300. Additionally, the buyer shall pay to the KWA not less than
  4144. $32,300.00 per unit per year until such time as water is made available to the
  4145. buyer. After water is made available, the buyer shall pay to the I<M/A an estimated
  4146. amount NOT-TO-EXCEED $355,300.00 per unit per year until such time that the
  4147. bonds are paid in full. If it is determined that the costs per unit will exceed
  4148. $355,300.00, the buyer has a right to cancel the contract. Over the next 25 years, it
  4149. is expected that continuing with Detroit will cost the region $2.1 billion, compared to
  4150. $1 .9 billion with a pipeline.] [NOTE: Contract not included.] [NOTE: Resolution
  4151. amended from 18 to 15 units of capacity.]
  4152. A motion was made by Counci lperson Neeley, seconded by Councilperson Freeman,
  4153. that this matter be Amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4154. Aye: 5- Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman, Councilperson Lawler,
  4155. Councilperson Neeley and Councilperson Sarginson
  4156. No: 3 • Councilperson Poplar, President Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  4157. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4158. Amended Resolution/Contract/City of Flint/Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA)
  4159. Amended resolution resolving that city officials are authorized to enter into a
  4160. contract with Karegnondl Water Authority (KWA) to purchase sixteen (16) units
  4161. Pnge8 Printed on 41212013
  4162. CITY COUNCIL
  4163. 130216
  4164. 130216.1
  4165. City of Flint, M/clllgan
  4166. Meeting Minutes - Draft March 25, 2013
  4167. of capacity, AND, resolving that the City Administrator is authorized to provide fWVA
  4168. information needed to administer the contract, and, with approval of the Chief Legal
  4169. Officer, to make minor (non-material} modifications to the contract. [NOTE: For
  4170. each unit of capacity that a member purchases, the buyer shall pay to the KWA a
  4171. one-time fee of $32,300. Addi tionally, the buyer shall pay to the fWVA not less than
  4172. $32,300.00 per unit per year until such time as water is made available to the
  4173. buyer. After water is made available, the buyer shall pay to the fWVA an esti mated
  4174. amount NOT-TO-EXCEED $355,300.00 per unit per year until such time that the
  4175. bonds are paid in full. If it is determined that the costs per unit will exceed
  4176. $355,300.00, the buyer has a right to cancel the contract. Over the next 25 years, it
  4177. is expected that continuing with Detroit will cost the region $2.1 billion, compared to
  4178. $1.9 billion wi th a pipeline.] [NOTE: Contract not included.] [NOTE: Resolution
  4179. amended from 15 to 16 units of capacity.]
  4180. A motion was made by Councilperson Neeley, seconded by Councilperson Freeman,
  4181. that this matter be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4182. Aye: 7 - Councilperson Poplar, Councilperson Freeman, Councilperson Lawler,
  4183. Councilperson Neeley, Councllperson Sarginson, President Kincaid and
  4184. Councilperson Croom
  4185. No: 1 - Vice President Nolden
  4186. Absent: 1 - Council person Weighill
  4187. Approval/The First Amendment & Restated Rules Governing the Downtown
  4188. Development Authority (DDA) of the City of Flint
  4189. Resolution that the City of Flint hereby approves and The First Amendment &
  4190. Restated Rules Governing the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of the
  4191. City of Flint, attached hereto. [NOTE: The City of Flint created the DDA, in
  4192. accordance with Public Act 197 of 1975, as amended, and approved The Rules
  4193. Governing the DDA in 1977. Public Act 197 has been amended and revised at
  4194. various times since then, which required the proposed changes.] [NOTE: The First
  4195. Amendment & Restated Rules Governi ng the Downtown Development Authority
  4196. (DDA) of the City of Flint is attached.]
  4197. A motion was made by Councllperson Freeman, seconded by Vice President Nolden,
  4198. that this matter be Amended, The motion carried by t he following vote:
  4199. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councilperson Freeman,
  4200. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4201. President Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  4202. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4203. Amended Resolution/Approval/The First Amendment & Restated Rules Governing
  4204. the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of the City of Flint
  4205. Amended resolution that the City of Flint hereby approves and The First
  4206. Amendment & Restated Rules Governi ng the Downtown Development Authority
  4207. (DDA) of the City of Flint, attached hereto. [NOTE: The City of Flint created the
  4208. DDA, in accordance with Public Act 197 of 1975, as amended, and approved The
  4209. Rules Governing the DDA in 1977. Public Act 197 has been
  4210. Page9 Printed on 412/2013
  4211. CITY COUNCIL Meeting Minutes - Draft March 25, 2013
  4212. amended and revised at various times since then, which required the proposed
  4213. changes.] [NOTE: The First Amendment & Restated Rules Governing the
  4214. Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of the City of Flint is attached.]
  4215. [Resolution amended for changes to rules.]
  4216. A motion was made by Council person Freeman, seconded by Vice President Nolden,
  4217. that this matter be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4218. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councllperson Freeman,
  4219. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4220. President Kincaid and Councilperson Croom
  4221. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4222. RESOLUTIONS - MAY BE REFERRED FROM S.A.
  4223. 130210
  4224. 130210.1
  4225. City of Flint, Michigan
  4226. Resolution/City Council/Mayor Dayne Walling/Request for Appointment of
  4227. Transition Advisory Board
  4228. Resolution resolving that Mayor Dayne Walling and the Flint City Council request
  4229. and recommend to Gov. Riel< Snyder that a receivership transition advisory board
  4230. be appointed for the City of Flint under Public Act 436 no later than July 1, 2013.
  4231. [NOTE: On December 1, 2011, Gov. Snyder appointed Michael K. Brown as
  4232. Emergency Manager under Public Act 4 for the City of Flint, due in part to a
  4233. consistent deficit in the general fund, the decline in pooled cash, budget issues and
  4234. unfunded liabilities for post-employment benefits. Due to the suspension and
  4235. subsequent repeal of Public Act 4, Gov. Snyder appointed Edward J. Kurtz as
  4236. Emergency Financial Manager under Public Act 72 for the City of Flint, effective
  4237. August 9, 2012. Both the Emergency Manager and the subsequently appoi nted
  4238. Emergency Financial Manager were authorized by virtue of their appointment to
  4239. "act for and in the place and stead of the governing body and the office of chief
  4240. administrative officer of the City of Flint." On March 28, 2013, Public Act 436 will
  4241. become effective and provides that an emergency financial manager appointed and
  4242. serving under state law immediately prior to the effective date shall continue to
  4243. serve as an emergency manager under Public Act 436. As an alternative to
  4244. continuation of an emergency manager, and if the financi al emergency has been
  4245. rectified, Public Act 436 authorizes the governor to appoint a receivership transition
  4246. advisory board, which seNes at the pleasure of the governor and monitors the
  4247. affairs of the local government until the receivership is terminated.]
  4248. No vole was taken on this amendment.
  4249. Amended
  4250. Amended Resolution/City Council/Mayor Dayne Walling/Request for Appointment
  4251. of Transition Advisory Board
  4252. Amended resolution resolving that Mayor Dayne Walling and the Flint City Council
  4253. request and recommend to Gov. Rick Snyder that a receivership transition advisory
  4254. board be appointed for the City of Flint under Public Act 436 no later than July 1,
  4255. 2013. [NOTE: On December 1, 2011, Gov. Snyder appointed Michael K. Brown as
  4256. Emergency Manager under Public Act 4 for the
  4257. Page 10 Printed on41212013
  4258. CITY COUNCIL Meeting Minutes • Draft March 25, 2013
  4259. City of Flint, due in part to a consistent deficit in the general fund, the decline in
  4260. pooled cash, budget issues and unfunded liabilities for post-employment benefits.
  4261. Due to the suspension and subsequent repeal of Public Act 4, Gov. Snyder
  4262. appointed Edward J. Kurtz as Emergency Financial Manager under Public Act 72
  4263. for the City of Flint, effective August 9, 2012. Both the Emergency Manager and
  4264. the subsequently appointed Emergency Financial Manager were authorized by
  4265. virtue of their appointment to "act for and in the place and stead of the governing
  4266. body and the office of chief administrative officer of the City of Flint." On March 28,
  4267. 2013, Public Act 436 will become effective and provides that an emergency
  4268. financial manager appointed and serving under state law immediately prior to the
  4269. effective date shall continue to serve as an emergency manager under Public Act
  4270. 436. As an alternative to continuation of an emergency manager, and if the financial
  4271. emergency has been rectified, Public Act 436 authorizes the governor to appoint a
  4272. receivership transition advisory board, which serves at the pleasure of the governor
  4273. and monitors the affairs of the local government until the receivership is
  4274. terminated.] [Six-page resolution amended for changes proposed by City Council,
  4275. City Clerk and Mayor Dayne Walling.] ·
  4276. A motion was made by Councilperson Freeman, seconded by Councilperson Poplar,
  4277. that this matter be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4278. Aye: 8 - Councilperson Poplar, Vice President Nolden, Councllperson Freeman,
  4279. Councilperson Lawler, Councilperson Neeley, Councilperson Sarginson,
  4280. President Kincaid and Councllperson Croom
  4281. Absent: 1 - Councilperson Weighill
  4282. MEETING SCHEDULE
  4283. ADDITIONAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION
  4284. ADJOURNMENT
  4285. City of Flint, MlciJ/yan
  4286. Having no further business, Council President Scott Kincaid adjourned file meeting at 8:59
  4287. p.m.
  4288. Respectfully transcribed and submitted,
  4289. Janel/ Johnson. Administrative Secretarv to Citv Council
  4290. Page ·11 Printed on4/212013
  4291. EM SUBMISSION NO. : /20!32. /)? CJ '-//
  4292. P:RESENTED: __ 3_ ... _;L _ f!_ ... _J 3 __
  4293.  
  4294. BY TliE EMERGENCY MANAGER:
  4295. RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE CAPACl'l'Y FROM
  4296. ICAREGNONDI WATER AUTIIOlUTY
  4297. The Kuregn.ondi Water Authority (KWA) is a governmental consortium of cities and
  4298. co1.mties in s_outheastern Michigan that was created to build u water pipeline that will pl'ovide
  4299. water :fi·om Lake Huron to interested communities in Sat1ilac, Lapeer, and Genesee counties.
  4300. The incorporating bodies that Cl'eated the KW A are Sanilac County, La!lCCl' County, Genesee
  4301. County, the City of Flint, and the City of Lapeer.
  4302. The City of Flint is currently :in a year to yeat· contmct with the City of Detroit fol' the
  4303. purchase of wntel'. A study was conducted thftt projected that staying wlth Detroit will cost the
  4304. region $2.1 billion over the next 25 years. In contrast, if the region builds its own pipeline, the
  4305. projected costs are $1.9 billion over the same period. After the initial 25 yeru; }Jeriod, the
  4306. projected would be less theu25% of the projected water costs from Detroit .
  4307. ... . _-   .. :·.·:: i:.:;-; : ::;'; ;··: ::\\:;;_
  4308. ·the capacity that edch membet' wlll put'chuse it1 the pipeline. The KWA is allowed to withdraw. ··,;.;
  4309. 85 million gallons of water per day. Capacity js available to members·]n increments of 1 million
  4310. gallons per day known as units. For each unit of capacity that n member-purchases, the buyer
  4311. shAll pay to the KWA a one time fee of $32,300.00. Additionally, the buyer shall pay to the
  4312. K.WA uot less then $32,300.00 per unit per yeanmtil such time as water is made available to the
  4313. buyer. After water is made available, the buyer shall pay to the KW A an estimated amount not
  4314. to exceed $355.300.00 per unit pex y0ar 1.111til such time that the bonds are paid in ft!ll. If it is
  4315. determined that the costs per unit will exceed $355,300.00 the buyet· has a right to cancel the
  4316. contract.
  4317. T.he purchase of capacity along with the payment of oth.el' costs necessary to operate the
  4318. pipeline gives the member a l'ight to water for sale to its 011stomers. The buyer has a light to
  4319. resell .capacity and watel' l'ights. Each pnrty entering into a oapnclty contract shall also be
  4320. entitled to appoint additional board members eq\la1 to the party's percentage share of the total
  4321. capacity under contract.
  4322. It is in the long term best interests of the City of Flint to enter into a contract with the
  4323. KW A to purchase up to eighteen (18) 1.1nits of capacity.
  4324. IT lS RESOLVED thnt City officials are authori zed to enter into n contract with KWA
  4325. to purchase up to eighteen (1 8) units of cnpncity.
  4326. rr IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the City· Admlnistmtor· is authorized to· provide
  4327. KWA infot·mntion needed to administer the contract and, with approval of the Chief Legal
  4328. Officet·, to make minor (non-material) modificntions to the contract. ·
  4329. APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO FINANCE:
  4330. fZ>rGerald Ambl'osc, Fin:mcc Dil'cctor
  4331. ENACT. 1/
  4332. FAIL ___ _ _
  4333. DATED 1"'" :J.-[ .-- j:J
  4334. ,.
  4335. .···.·
  4336. ...
  4337. ' • I \
  4338. · :·.::i .::.::; .. · .. .-: .. ·     i ,-; .... ... <· . .' ;·: .. ·.··: .. · ... ·.: :: · .... :: .: : ::·· ... : .. . _, : .: ·, · :. :· .. i: :: .
  4339. . . .. , .. ···i··· · ··
  4340. folint City Council appl'oves resolution to buy water from Karegnoncli, state approval still ... Page 1 of2
  4341. Flinl
  4342. Flint City Council approves resolution to buy water
  4343. __ __
  4344. . I'!) Dlllp://aonuoot.mllvo,oom/slall/dadams1/lndex.hlml) fly llomlnlo Adams 1 dudams6@1l111Yo.com [hllp://connoct.mllvo.com/slallldadarns1/posts.htmiJ
  4345. Follow on TwHtor
  4346. ' ·· <r.· •. on Matell25, 2013 PM, updntod Maccll26, ?.013at1:23AM
  4347. FLINT, MI- Flint is one stop closer to getting its water from Hmon as pmt of the Karegnondi Water Authority,
  4348. The vote
  4349. 1
  4350. approved 7-111t the Flint City Cotmcll meeting Monday, Mal'eh 25
  4351. [http:/fwww.mlivo.comfnewsjflint/index,ssf/2o18/03/flint_city_council_ngaln_dellly.html], may have set in motion the
  4352. end to Flint to get Its watet· from Detroit.
  4353. Under the proposal, Flint would get 16 million gallons per day of rawwatel'from Lake Huron, pipe it to Flint for treatment and then sell it
  4354. to customers throughout the city. Another 2 million gallons per day would come from the Flint River and will be treated In Flint.
  4355. Mayor Dayu.e Walling said the Depa1tment of Enviromnental Quality must approve Flint's getting 2 million gallons pet• day from the Flint
  4356. River.
  4357. 'fuesday's meeting followed weel<s of cliscusslons and special meetings surrounding the resolution.
  4358. "We got there," Councihnan Joshua Freeman said. "That's the impottant thing."
  4359. There were more thun 50 people at Monday's meeting.
  4360.               the Wehavono.opinion on !he economics said Rebecca :·
  4361. ·· -:; Coalition executive director. "If we start drawing water out oft he l1Jint we are at risk of having to start releasing water · ·-· · ' · · · · ··. ;·:;',:
  4362. from out• reservoirs."
  4363. Gcucsce County brnin Commissioner JcffWright said the decision must still be approved by a county water and board. The
  4364. KWA board \\111 then be reconvened for final approval.
  4365. Wl'ight said consttUction could start In May.
  4366. State treasury officials still must approve the city council's move because Flint has an emergency financial manage1·. All expenditures over
  4367. $5o,ooo must be approved.
  4368. Genesee County Dmin Commissioner JeffWrlght has sold that Flint would pay roughly $6.4 million annually for water service if itjolned
  4369. the pipellne -a nem•ly $4 million savings on what it pays Detroit for water.
  4370. Walling l>reviously said the city would SllVe $19million over eightyem•s
  4371. [http:/ /www.mlivc.com/news/flintfindex,ssf/2ol3/ 03/flint_city_comlciLdelnys_dcci.htrnl] by getting water from the
  4372. KWA.
  4373. ''It's a histot·lc night in tho Cily of Flint/' Walling said. "The savings will be less I 11th the capacity level approved by cit>• council because
  4374. there will be increased treatment cost for the rivenvate1·."
  4375. He snid the DEQ told the city it needed to get 18lllill!on gallons pel' duyorthere would have to be additional work done nt Flint's w11tcr
  4376. plant.
  4377. Flint's water plant nnd the Flint River is cm·rently the hllcl<Up fo1· Flint and Genesee County, however, the plant only operates four t imes
  4378. peryeal',
  4379. Councilman Btyant Nolden the lone dissenting vote.
  4380. http ://www.mlive.com/news/:flint/index.ssi120 13/03/flint_ cit;r _council_ approves _re.html 10/7/2015
  4381. Flint City Co\mcll approves resoh1tion to buy water fi·om Karegnondi, state approval still ... Page 2 of 2
  4382. ''Itwas a protest wtc," Nolden said. "I lmew the)' had eno\tgh votes. I just feel like the Flint River is our best option,"
  4383. Karengnondi is the regional walet• authority that includes Genesee, Lapcet· and Sanilac counties and tlte cities of Flint And Lapeer.
  4384. Flint is the second municipality, behht<l Genesee County, to officinlly decide to purchase raw wntet• through the KWA. Lapeet' city officials
  4385. said they intend to purchase water, but an agreement has been finalized.
  4386. Domil!ioAclams is a reportm•jol· MLive-FliutJOllJ'IIal. Contact him at claclamss@mliva.com Ol' 810-R41-8Bos. Follow /lim on
  4387. 7' v itte1• [ftttp:j jwww. twitteJ•, co mjdominic«dmns], • [htt]n/ jwwwJ'accb ook.comjdomin ic.admns.186s] Ol'
  4388. . GcioJ] ze:l. [11 tt_J)s"i/ jp1ull.gob {Jle;c6m/.t686 9 667::Z5668687£99i1?J·eT,.,ciiithcil'l •.
  4389. - Rclntcd Stories
  4390. Price of Detroit water for Flint is $1.5
  4391. million a month, mayor says
  4392. Here's how that toxic lead gats into Fllnl
  4393. ., ..   water
  4394. ;-.;;'<;=-· -,.
  4395.  
  4396. lhUp:/Jwww .mlive.com/nawsminVindex.ssf/2016/1 0/rnayor_clly_a (hUp:/lwww.mlive.CQm/newslfllnVIndex.ssff2015/1 Ofsee _step_by _s
  4397. on or usa of this silo constitutes aoceplence or our User Agroomont and Privaoy Polioy-
  4398. @ 2016 Mllvo Modln Group Nl rights reserved {About Us].
  4399. The ntatortal on lllis site may not bo roproducod, dlsWbuted, tachod or oUlol\liso usod, oxcopl • tho prtorwrltten pormlsslon or
  4400. ModlaGroup
  4401. Community fiuJos apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to lhls silo, Contactlnloractivily management.
  4402. (:> A<l Choices
  4403. :. :: ....... .
  4404. • • • • : • ': • l •• ••
  4405. . .. ; '· .: ..._\: ._. ... . :. ::· .:--::;·:·-:·:· ;\ '; ;_
  4406. http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/20 13/03/:flint_ city_ council_ approves _re.html 10/7/2015
  4407. GENESEE COUNTY DRAIN COMIVIISSIONER'S OFFICE
  4408. JEFFREY WRIGHT
  4409. COMMISSIONER
  4410. G·4608 BEECHER ROAD, FLINT, Ml
  4411. PHONE {010) 732·1690 f!AX (010) 732·1474
  4412. f-OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeff Wright
  4413. March 2.6, 2013 810-287-1925
  4414. What: Jeff Wright Statement on Flint City Council Approving Resolution to Join KWA.
  4415. When: March 26, 2013
  4416. Additional Info: Jeff Wright, CEO of the KWA, today praised the Flint City Council for voting to approve
  4417. a resolution to officially have the City of Flint join the KWA and Its' water line.
  4418. "I have said from the beginning that this decision must be made by Flint's City Council and Mayor," said ...
  4419. Wright.
  4420. 1
  4421. '1 appreci.ate the. councH voting the way they did, bttt even more than that, I am glad the .•.
  4422. . __;_ :·} .::· .. ..         .. . :··,. :, . ; . .-: <
  4423. '·: · · · • process will   .. Board executrng the for the City . . = -. . '· · ··. , :· : .>. ·.: :-, ·. · · · ... · · · · · ·. =.;_:-,':\
  4424. · .. ... : ' . •. . ...
  4425. "The most Important aspect from the vote Is the fact that we as an Authority can move forward
  4426. knowing Flint' s h'ltentlon·s," said Wright.
  4427. Despite Emergency Manager Ed Kurtz. publicly supporting the project, Wright had made a vote by
  4428. council a condition of Flint joining the KWA so the residents would have their say.
  4429. "There Is a baste tenet that government is best when it has focal control. We saw that with the council
  4430. vote. Nobody, whether they live In Flint, Grand Blanc, Davison, Fenton, or anywhere in Genesee county,
  4431. should have these types of decisions made by people who live outside of their community," said Wright.
  4432. At the next Water and Waste Advisory Board meeting a vote will be taken to award a contract for
  4433. construction of the Intake portion of the water line. All bids were submitted to the board at their last
  4434. meeting for review.
  4435. 89 (flov. 02·11)
  4436. RICK SNYDER
  4437. GOV!lRNOR
  4438. Mr. Edward Kurtz.
  4439. Emergency Manager
  4440. City ofFllnt
  4441. 1101 South Saginaw Street
  4442. Flint, MI 48502
  4443. Dear Mt·. Klll'IZ:
  4444.  
  4445.  
  4446. STATE OF MlCHIGAN
  4447. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
  4448. LANSING
  4449. ANDY DILLON
  4450. SlATE TREASURl ':R
  4451. Thauk yon for your March 29, 2013 letter, which is attached for reference. As the Emergency
  4452. Manager for the City of Flint ("Flint" or "City"), you have asked for my concurrence, pursuant to
  4453. Public Act 436 of20 12, the Local Financial Stability and Choice Act, to authorize a contract in
  4454. eKcess of$50,000.00 not subject to competitive bldding. This request was related to the City
  4455. entering into an agreement with the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) for provision of raw
  4456. water for the City.
  4457. In considel'ing your request, I took note ofthe following facts in suppol't ofFilntjoining KW A. ..
  4458. First, there is widespread s1.1pport in the City for this move, including the support of the Mayor, : ..
  4459. . . ·.. . . City Co·uncil, and the Emergency Manager. Second, this unique · :' ·:. :.· :;_ · . .\.": ·i-..-\:;.
  4460. ;:::,. ::-.:< ·.:. ::::.OPPQl'l\.mi.ty fpr .. the. City tp pm:t.ner_on .. an   which.will hopefu.lly lead .::i·.<': ;.};.} {-:,::</{
  4461. ·. ;·':::_:\:_:.:<'to future regional collaboration. ·Third, 'the Depat'tment of Environmental Quality is supportive of ·.   >··(·
  4462. the City participating in the KWA project. Finally, your representations that this deal will lead to ·.: ·· ··::
  4463. substantial savings for the City over the coming decades, savings that are desperately needed to
  4464. help with the tumaround of the City of Flint.
  4465. It is my understanding that the Detroit Water and Sewer Depa1iment is making a final best offer
  4466. to Genesee County and the City of Flint next Monday, April15, 2013. As s·nch, this approval
  4467. will be effective Rt 5 pm on April16, 2013 after receiving written notice from the City that eithel'
  4468. no such offer was presented to the county and the City or that an offer was received and was
  4469. in good faith based upon specified
  4470. For the reasons described above and subject to the conditions set forth herein, pursuant to
  4471. Section 12 (3) ofPA 436 of2012, I am authorizing you to proceed with adopting the resolution
  4472. and entel'lng into a contract with KW A.
  4473. itia/L_
  4474. Andy Dillon
  4475. State
  4476. P.O. BOX a0716 • LANSING, MICiiiGAN 4U009
  4477. www.michlglln.gov/rreasvry • (fi17)3"f 3-32.0U
  4478. Flint council supports buying water from Lake l-Imon tlll'O"llgh KWA 1 MLive.com Page 1 of 1
  4479. Fllnl
  4480. Flint council supports buying water from Lake Huron
  4481. fhr.o"Q..glt .. A
  4482. '. r_;, By Domlnlo
  4483. ,(tOJ.; Follow on TwiUor (htlp:l/www.twltlor.comldomlnlcadamsJ
  4484. •
  4485. 1
  4486. ''·'· on Marth 26,2013 ot 7:17PM, updated March 26,2013 AM
  4487. FLINT, MI --Flint residents muysoon get their watcl'from T.al<c Huron.
  4488. 'rho Flint City Council voted 7-:i to get 16 mltllon gallons per day from the Karegnondl Water Auth011ly.
  4489. ''This Is about compromise," said Councilman Sheldon Neeley.
  4490. Neeley got support from Councilman .Joshua llreelllan, after the two were at odds about the amount the city should withdraw
  4491. from Lake Huron.
  4492. Councilman Dryant Nolden was the lone "no" vote.
  4493. "It was a protest vote," Nolden said. "I just feel like the Flint lliver is om• best option."
  4494. Genesee County Drain Commissioner said constrnctlon of tho plpellne couldstartltt May,
  4495.   :·.:·, .. .. :; ..:. '· ;; ... :: · :: .. :·:·;.; ::.·; :;. ::. ,:-,:.{;. ·:: .. :.,.:}:-:":.:, .. =,'
  4496. .   slill.must.appl'Q\'6 \he city CO\UlCII's move because Flint has an emergency financial manager. All expenditures Q\'61'. ·\ :=.
  4497. $so,ooo must be appro1•ed. ··:,
  4498. .DominicA dams is a rcportcrftw MLivc-FlintJoui'Jial. Coutncthim atiladams5@mli1Je.com Ol' 810-241-88os. Follow him 011
  4499. • [http://lOIIJW. twitteJ•.comfdominicadams], Faceba ok 111 ttp:/ jwww.faccbooT<ocomfdomi1lio,ndams.;t865] 01'
  4500. Google+ [https:ffpTus.googlc.cozn/.1.036906725068oB729911?J'el=«ut1!ol:].
  4501. Rclntcd Stol'ies
  4502. En bridge can begin piping tar sands oil
  4503. along Lake Ontario north shore
  4504. Fonner Detroit American Motors Corp.
  4505. headquarter$ being auctioned; starti ng bid
  4506. $600
  4507. [hllp://www.mllve.com/news/lndex.ssf/2015/1 O/enbridge_can_beg [hllp://www.mlive.com/news/detroiVIndex.ssf/2016/1 0/former_detrr
  4508. Regls!taUon on or use or Urls sHe oonsUtu!os aoceptanco of our Us or llgroomonl and Privacy Polley
  4509. E:> 2015 Mllve Medin Group All rlohts rcsorvocl (I\ bout Us).
  4510. The material on lllls silo moy nol roproduced, dlsllibulod, cacltod used, excepii'Aih Ute prior WT1tlon pormlss!on of Mllvo
  4511. f,lodla Group
  4512. Commun!ly Rules apply to conlonl you upload or otllerwls&submll to litis site. Contact lntorMtlvlty management.
  4513. (:> 1\d Oholcos
  4514. http://www .mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/20 13/03/flint_ city_ delay .html 10/7/2015
  4515. Resolution: 130165.2
  4516. Presented: 3-11-13
  4517. Adopted: 3-25-13
  4518. AMENDED RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE CAPACITY
  4519. FROM KAREGNONDI WATER AUTHORITY
  4520. BY THE MAYOR:
  4521. The Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) is a governmental consortium of cities and
  4522.   in southeastern Michigan that was created to build a water pipeline that will provide
  4523. water from Lake Huron to interested communities in Sanilac, Lapeer, and Genesee counties.
  4524. The incorporating bodies that created the KW A are Sanilac County, Lapeer County, Genesee
  4525. County, the City of Flint, and the City of Lapeer.
  4526. . .
  4527. The City of Flint is currently in a year to year contract with the City of Detroit for the
  4528. purchase of water. A study was conducted that projected that staying with Detroit will cost the
  4529. region $2 .. 1 billion over the next 25 years. In contrast, if the region builds its own pipeline, the
  4530. projected costs are $1.9 billion over the same period. After the initial 25 year period, the
  4531. projected costs would be less then 25% of the projected water costs from Detroit.
  4532. In order to build the pipeline, the KW A needs commitment :fi:om its members regarding
  4533. the capacity that each member will purchase in the pipeline. The KWA is allowed to withdraw
  4534. 85 million gallons of water per day. Capacity available to members in increments of 1 million
  4535. gallons per day known as units. For each unit of capacity that a member purchases, the buyer
  4536. shall pay to the ICWA a one time fee of $32,300.00. Additionally, the buyer shall pay to the
  4537. KWA not less then $32,300.00 per unit per year until such time as water is made available to the
  4538. buyer. After water is made available, the buyer shall pay to the KW A an estimated amount not
  4539. to exceed $355,300.00 per unit per year until such time that the bonds aJe paid in full. If it is
  4540. determined that the costs per unit will exceed $355,300.00 the buyer has a right to cancel the
  4541. contract.
  4542. The purchase of capacity along with the payment of other costs necessary to operate the
  4543. pipeline gives the member a right to water for sale to its customers. The buyer has a right to
  4544. resell capacity and water rights. Each party entering into a capacity contract shall also be
  4545. entitled to appoint additional board members equal to the party's percentage share of the total
  4546. capacity under contract.
  4547. The City of Flint has decided that it is in its long term best interests to enter into a
  4548. contract with the KWA to purchase SIXTEEN (16) units of capacity; plus TWO (2) units from
  4549. the Flint River.
  4550. IT IS RESOLVED that City officials are authorized to enter into a contract with KWA
  4551. to purchase SIXTEEN (16) units of capacity, plus TWO (2) units from the Flint River.
  4552. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is authorized to provide
  4553. KW A infonnation needed to administer the contract and, with approval of the Chief Legal
  4554. Officer, to make minol' (non-material) modificatlons to the contract.
  4555. APPROVED AS TO FORM:
  4556. APPROVED BY MAYOR:
  4557. Dayne Walling
  4558. Mayor
  4559. S:\Jl'\Ordillmlccs nnd Ucsos\KWA.03.08.13.doc
  4560. APPROVED AS TO FINANCE:
  4561. Gerald Ambrose
  4562. Finance Director
  4563. APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL
  4564. ON: March 25,2013
  4565. ~ ~ -)?!   ; : j ~
  4566. Inez Brown(}
  4567. Clerk, City of Flint
  4568. APPROVED BY
  4569. CITY COUNCIL
  4570. MAR 2 5 2013
  4571. ct£r···
  4572. Response to Corrosion Control Questions
  4573. -Lime Softening can affect the pH in water
  4574. - The pH of the water is one physical characteristic t hat can affect the leaching of lead from pi pes into
  4575. the water
  4576. -As per the requirements in t he Lead/Copper rule t he Flint Water system was evaluated for two
  4577. consecutive monitoring periods and the results of t he monitoring demonstrated that further action was
  4578. necessary.
  4579. - The DEQ promptly notified the Flint water system of the need for additi onal measures and the city of
  4580. Flint promptly began putting together an. action plan to address this need.
  4581. Drinldng Water Regulations for Monitoring of Lead in Sc/Joo/s and Child Care Centers
  4582. There is no federal or Michigan law requiring sampling of drinl<ing water in schools that receive water from
  4583. other public water systems, although schools that have their own water supply are subject to regulati on and
  4584. sampling as non-community public water systems. Schools served by a public water system may be included
  4585. as a sampling site (i.e. , tap) for a public water system's lead and copper monitoring program if there are
  4586. insufficient si ngle-family homes that qualify. There are no federal requirements for more extensive testing.
  4587. The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) required EPA to develop regulations to control
  4588. for lead in drinking water. The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) , issued in 1991, is focused on controlling
  4589. corrosion within the distribution system that delivers water to customers. The 1986 SDWA Amendments also
  4590. required that only lead-free materi als be used in new plumbing and in plumbing repairs.
  4591. In 1988, the SDWA was further amended by the Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA), to reduce the
  4592. exposure of lead to children in schools and child care facilities. The LCCA prohibited the sale of any drinking
  4593. water cooler that is not lead-free and required that:
  4594. ·the EPA identify each brand and model of drinking water cooler, indicating which are lead free and which
  4595. have a lead-lined tank and distribute the list to states (SDWA Sec. 1463),
  4596. • the Consumer Product Safety Commission order that manufacturers and importers of all drinking water
  4597. coolers identified as having a lead-lined tank repair, replace, or recall and provide a refund for such coolers
  4598. (SDWA Sec. 1462),
  4599. • the EPA publish a guidance document and testing protocol to assist states in determining the source and
  4600. degree of lead contamination in school drinking water (SDWA Sec. 1464), and
  4601. • states establish programs to assist schools and child care facil ities to test for and remedy lead contamination
  4602. problems, with public avai lability of results of such testing (SDWA Sec. 1464(d)).
  4603. As a result of a 1996 court decision, States are not required to establi sh testing programs. In its decision, the
  4604. Fifth Circuit held that provisions in section 1464(d) were unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment to the
  4605. U.S. Constitution because they directly compelled the state to enact and enforce a federal regulatory program
  4606. and provided no options for the State to decline the program. The decision did not, however, restrict states
  4607. from developing and carrying out their own programs to assist schools.
  4608. In 1989 and subsequent years, EPA released guidance and information to inform states and school systems
  4609. how to test for and reduce the ri sk of lead exposure in school drinking water. EPA's guidance provides a
  4610. protocol for testing water in schools and recommends that schools tal<e acti on at fixtures where the lead
  4611. concentration exceeds 20 ppb. This concentration differs from the 15 ppb action level that public water
  4612. systems are required to follow. The 20 ppb action level is based on a smaller sample collection volume of
  4613. 250 milliliters (ml) and is designed to pinpoint specific fountains and outlets that require attention.
  4614. In 1990, Michigan did provide schools and licensed child care centers with information to assist in testing and
  4615. remedying potential lead contamination of their drinking water as required by the Lead Contamination Control
  4616. Act of 1988. This information included a sampling protocol and guidance on flushing their system to minimize
  4617. lead exposure.
  4618. In 2004, EPA surveyed states to determine what additional programs may exist to control exposure to lead in
  4619. drinking water at schools and child care centers. Forty-nine states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and
  4620. the Navaj o Nation responded. Only 16 respondents indicated they have or will conduct special sampling or
  4621. studies to target lead exposure at schools and child care centers. Michigan has not included any additional
  4622. sampling programs or studies. However, some local agencies have conducted voluntary programs. For
  4623. example, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation funded a program implemented by the Calhoun County Health
  4624. Department that sampled schools in Battle Creel<. In Michigan's response to this EPA survey, we included a
  4625. recommendation for EPA to allow school s to be considered as a primary LCR monitoring site so that more
  4626. information about lead levels in schools would become available. However, no changes in sampling criteria
  4627. have occurred to date.
  4628. In 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between tile EPA, the Department of Education, the
  4629. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Water Worl<s Association, the Association of
  4630. Metropolitan Water Agencies, the Association of State Drinl<ing Water Administrators, the National Association
  4631. of Water Companies and the National Rural Water Association to facilitate actions that reduce children's
  4632. exposure to lead from drinl<ing water at schools and child care facili ties.
  4633. Across the country and in Michigan, most schools and child care facilities receive water from other community
  4634. water systems. However, those schools that have their own source of drinl<ing water are considered non-
  4635. transient non-community water systems and are subject to the LCR. In Michigan, there are 755 such schools
  4636. and child care centers that must monitor for lead to demonstrate compliance.
  4637. FLINT SCHOOL TESTING RESULTS:
  4638. WHAT DID WE FIND?
  4639. 1) The results of the initial screening conducted over the course of the last week are consistent with the
  4640. last round of community lead and copper testing.
  4641. 2) There were a total of 37 samples taken from 13 schools. Of those 37 samples, 4 exceeded the 15 ppb
  4642. action level. There were 3 schools that had samples exceeding the action level: Eisenhower Elementary
  4643. (which had two samples exceeding 15 ppb). Brownell STEM .Academy and Freeman Elementary each
  4644. had one sample exceeding 15 PPB. The sample from Freeman Academy was significantly higher than
  4645. the other samples at 101 PPB.
  4646. 3) Looking at the data from a health based perspective, the data clearly demonstrates that more
  4647. detailed sampling needs to occur so that the various sources of lead contamination contained within
  4648. each respective school's plumbing can be identified and addressed.
  4649. WHAT DOES THE DATA MEAN?
  4650. 1) The data underscores the need for a complete and thorough evaluation of the plumbing system
  4651. within each school.
  4652. 2) We have developed a protocol for evaluating the plumbing systems and we will be working with
  4653. schools to implement these protocols and to assist them in determining a corrective action plan to
  4654. address this issue.
  4655. 3) The State is identifying staff within DEQ, DHHS, LARA and Local County Health Departments to assist
  4656. schools in conducting evaluations oftheir plumbing systems.
  4657. WHAT IS YOUR PROTOCOL?
  4658. 1) DEQ's protocols are based on similar work done in Michigan and in other States.
  4659. 2) Multiple samples from each tap used for cooking or drinking water will be collected at prescribed
  4660. intervals to identify levels of lead and its likely source.
  4661. 3) Once an evaluation is complete, we will be able to assist each School in developing a comprehensive
  4662. plan to address issues on a site specific basis.
  4663. HOW DO SCHOOLS RESPOND?
  4664. 1} Schools should continue protective measures that are current ly in place unt il a complete study can be
  4665. conducted at each school. This includes the continued use of bottled water for consumpt ion purposes.
  4666. 2} We will be reaching out to schools to schedule a complete evaluation, assessment and sampling, of
  4667. their plumbing systems.
  4668. From: Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  4669. Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 3:51 PM
  4670. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  4671. Cc: Calley, Brian {GOV)
  4672. . - :. ' (GOV) <clemente@mic
  4673. Subject: FW: flint documents
  4674. FYI. For your background.
  4675. From: Workman, Wayne (TREASURY)
  4676. Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 10:02 AM
  4677. Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth
  4678. To: Muchmore, Dennis {GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Saxton, Thomas (Treasury) <SaxtonT@mlchigan.gov>
  4679. Subject: FW: flint documents
  4680. Here is the Interim report from February also
  4681. Wayne L. Workman
  4682. Deputy State Treasurer
  4683. Michigan Department of Treasury
  4684. From: Dempl<owsl<i, Angela (Treasury)
  4685. Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 9:49AM
  4686. To: Workman, Wayne (TREASURY) <WorkmanW@michigan.gov>
  4687. Subject: flint documents
  4688. Randy asked me to get these to you to give to Dennis Muchmore.
  4689. Angela Dempkowski
  4690. Senior Executive Management Assistant
  4691. Department ofTreasury
  4692. From: Ducat, Penny (Treasury)
  4693. Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 9:43 AM
  4694. To: Dempkowsl<i, Angela (Treasury) <Dempl<owskiA@michigan.gov>
  4695. Subject: scan
  4696. 1
  4697. Bureau of Local Government
  4698. 430 W. Allegan
  4699. Lansing, Ml 48922
  4700. · ail:
  4701. 2
  4702. G)veouA
  4703. G)veouA
  4704. FROM , TO
  4705. Veolla North America Emergency Manager Gerald Ambrose
  4706. Executive Summary
  4707. The City of Flint changed water sources, transltlonlng from Detroit's system to the Flint River. This change created
  4708. water treatment challenges that have resulted in water quality violations. Aging cast-iron pipe has compounded the
  4709. situation, leading to aesthetic Issues including taste, odor and discoloration. Public Interest and scrutiny of the
  4710. drinking water system intensified following the distribution of required public notices of violation.
  4711. The City of Flint has made a number or good decisions regarding treatment changes that have Improved water
  4712. quality. However, this Is a very complex water quality issue and the City is seeking additional advice on what to do to
  4713. ensure healthful drinking water for the community. ·
  4714. Veolla appreciates the City's decision to seek independent third parties to review current treatment processes,
  4715. maintenance procedures and actions taken to date, and provide ideas for Improvement. We are pleased to present
  4716. this final report to the City of Flint following our experts' 160-hour assessment of the water treatment plant,
  4717. distribution system, customer service and communications programs, and capital plans and annual budget.
  4718. This report provides recommendations and a roadmap for Improvement, though our engagement was limited in
  4719. scope. Our assessment included reviewing actions taken by the City to date, validating the City's plans going
  4720. forward, and making recommendations for ideas not being considered.
  4721. Although a review of water quality records for the time period under our study indicates compliance with State and
  4722. Federal water quality regulations, Veolia, as an operator and manager of comparable utilities, recommends a variety
  4723. of actions to address improvements in water quality and related aesthetics Including: operational changes and
  4724. Improvements; changes In water treatment processes, procedures and chemical dosing; adjustments In how current
  4725. technologies are being used; increased maintenance and capital program activities; increased training; and, an
  4726. enhanced customer communications program.
  4727. We are also providing a recommended schedule and estimated costs for Implementing changes. It Is our desire to
  4728. help Flint residents and public officials better understand the current situation so that informed decisions can be
  4729. made to ensure safe drinking water for the ci ty's customers.
  4730. 1
  4731. Water Quality Report
  4732. March 12, 2015
  4733. DR..., J'
  4734. Review of Actions Taken to Date
  4735. To address water quality Issues, the city has made operational changes, sought help from the State, hired
  4736. engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) to provide additional advice, and hired Veolla for an
  4737. assessment from a utility operator's perspective. The City has also reached out to different specially vendors
  4738. (chemical suppliers, filter companies and tank aeration companies) for information about products to help with the
  4739. TTHM issues. These are logical steps to take.
  4740. Flint is not alone in dealing with TTHM problems, as many utilities across the country are facing this challenge. The
  4741. City appears to be following standard steps that many of those communities are taking to successfully correct the
  4742. problem.
  4743. Although the primary focus of this review was based on solving the TTHM problem, the public has also expressed its
  4744. frustration over discolored and hard water. Those aesthettc issues have understandably increased the level of
  4745. concern about the safety of the water.
  4746. The review of the water quality records during the lima of Veolla's study shows the water to be In compliance with
  4747. State and Federal regulations, and, based on those standards, the water Is considered to meet drinking water
  4748. requirements.
  4749. The City has been proactive in Its efforts to reach out to the medical community, to set up a phone number and
  4750. email address to receive complaints, to post State Water Quality reports, to provide the list of EPA required water
  4751. tests, and offer to test the water at customers' homes.
  4752. From our review, these numerous efforts demonstrate how the city Is trying to be transparent and responsive
  4753. beyond what many other communities might do in similar circumstances.
  4754. 2
  4755. Water Quality Report
  4756. March 12, 2015
  4757. State Report
  4758. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has requested specific actions be taken related to the
  4759. total trihalornethane (TTHM) issues. The February 2015 report from LAN (Operational Evaluation Report TTHM
  4760. Formation Concern) indicated apparent reasons for the elevated levels of TTHM in the distribution system. These
  4761. generally relate to high Total Organic Carbon {TOC) In the water source, improperly operating equipment both in the
  4762. plant and the distribution system, less-than-optimal plant TOC removal and old cast-Iron pipe in the distribution
  4763. system. Om assessment confirms that these reasons are likely given our on-site laboratory testing and
  4764. analysis, as well as our first-hand observations.
  4765. Due to time constraints, LAN's report to the State was submitted prior to Veolla's final analysis and
  4766. recommendations, and contained a number of l<ey initial and contingent steps the City should consider, including:
  4767. Initial Actions
  4768. Hire a Third Party Water Quality Expert to Complete Independent Audit
  4769. Obtain a THM Analyzer ·
  4770. carry Out Jar Testing
  4771. Water Plant Optimization Softening
  4772. • Water Plant Optimization Disinfection of Filter Beds (Pre-Chlorination)
  4773. Water Plant Optimization Polymer Aid to Coagulation and Flocculation
  4774. • Increase Water Main Flushing
  4775. • Water Modeling Cedar Street Pump Recirculation
  4776. • Water Modeling West Side Pump Recirculation
  4777. Broken Valve Locations
  4778. • Increase Flushing
  4779. Contingent Actions
  4780. • Fix Ozone System
  4781. Start Feeding Coagulant and Flocculation Polymer
  4782. • Convert to Lime and Soda Ash Softening
  4783. Change Disinfection to Chloramine or Chlorine Dioxide Temporarily
  4784. Install Pre-Oxidant at Intake
  4785. Replace Filter Media Implement Advanced Treatment
  4786. Increase Main-Flushing
  4787. • Continue Valve Replacement
  4788. Emphasize Cast Iron Pipe Replacement
  4789. 3
  4790. Water Quality Report
  4791. Marcil 12, 20'15
  4792. "
  4793. "'
  4794. ..
  4795. Veolia's Recommendations
  4796. While many ofVeolla's recommendations match the initial assessment provided by LAN, our approach, as an
  4797. operator and manager of comparable utilities, considers a more comprehensive solution. These Improvements
  4798. Include operational changes, differences In water treatment regimes and chemical dosing, increased maintenance,
  4799. and increased training. ·
  4800. • Addition of Permanganate- The addition of a permanganate chemical will help reduce ozone demand as
  4801. well as chlorine demand. The reduction of ozone Is needed to help eliminate the possibility of violating the
  4802. bromate limit. The addition of the chemical will require state approval, submission of design documents for
  4803. approval, procurement of the equipment and installation. The State has Indicated they ·will work with the
  4804. City on expediting review and approval of any requested changes. The required dosage of permanganate is
  4805. estimated to range from 0.5 mg/L to ·1.2 mg/L with a corresponding price of $160,000 to $320,000 per year.
  4806. (Please note - The water In the river Is dynamic which means it will change with weather, seasons and other
  4807. factors. The estimates provided are based on bench testing at a given lime and as such require the
  4808. operators to test water and to veril'y chemical dosages on a frequent basis.)
  4809. • Reduction of Ozone Feed -Treating water is a delicate balance • increasing ozone to fi x the TTHM
  4810. problem can raise bromate levels to a point of violallon. The introduction of permanganate is being
  4811. recommended to reduce the demand for ozone so that feed rates will not exceed 5 mg/L. The current
  4812. ozone dosing has been as high as 8 mg/L and, as such, If allowed to continue, will increase the risk of
  4813. violating the bromate levels.
  4814. • Increase of Ferric Chloride- Four coagulants were tested by Veolia -ferric chloride, ferri c sulfate,
  4815. polyaluminum chloride (PACI) and aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH). Ferric chloride and ACH were found to
  4816. be the best choice of product for effecti veness in removing TOC, a precursor to TTHM formation. Current
  4817. ferric chlori de dosages are too low and dosages of 100 mg/L or more are   Again, please
  4818. note, that the amount of chemical needed changes with the nature of the river and as such, water must be
  4819. tested multiple times a day wilh corresponding changes In chemical dosages. This increase to 100 mg/L is
  4820. twice what is currently being fed and much higher than what had previously been fed last year. The
  4821. Increase in chemical costs could be up to $1 ,000,000 per year. This change In dosage (using ferric
  4822. chloride} can be made immediately without state permit review.
  4823. Reduction of Lime - Lime is currently being overfed. A higher dosage of lime does not necessarily mean
  4824. better treatment. A review of different dosages with jar testing Indicates that the current dosage of 280 mg/L
  4825. can be reduced to 230 mg/L, This represents a potential range of savings of up to $270,000 per year. This
  4826. change can be made immediatel y. It should be noted that the current soflening equipment Is in poor
  4827. condition, which does complicate the treatment process wilh a poor balance of fl ow between the two basins,
  4828. weirs that are not level causing bypassing with the softener basins, and simply old mechanical equipment
  4829. that periodically breaks down. This equipment is not going to be needed when a change to lake water
  4830. occurs. Addition of soda ash to help further reduce hardness in cold weather might require dosages up to
  4831. 40 mg/L with an annual chemical cost up to $320,000. There have also been some questions or complaints
  4832. from the public regarding hard water. The water entering the plant is currently 360 mg/L and the plant is
  4833. reducing that level of hardness to about 21 0 mg/L. Optimization of the dosage can reduce the hardness
  4834. 4
  4835. Water Quality Report
  4836. March 12, 2015
  4837. further to about 180 mg/L, This reduction however has been sporadic as equipment breakdowns and high
  4838. flows have caused problems keeping the softening process on-line. As we have noted before, the dosage
  4839. needs to be adjusted daily or more often based on process control monitoring. The raw water hardness In
  4840. the summer is much less than in the winter. For illustration purposes, the difference could be 360 mg/L In
  4841. raw water In winter compared with 220 mg/Lin the summer.
  4842. Eliminate Pre-Chlorination on the Filters- The reduction of pre-chlorination on the filters during the
  4843. summer months can help reduce TIHM formation. This action has to be considered carefully with
  4844. procedures documented and reviewed for engineering principles. As such, It will take time for the design
  4845. engineer to determine what could be done to assure the proper chlorine contact time and document that
  4846. other safety protocols in water are met. This requires state approval. Any submission should be considered
  4847. along with a possible change in !liter media. If Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) is Installed then the pre-
  4848. chlorination would be stopped or drastically reduced because of the chlorine Impact on the GAC filler media.
  4849. Veolia's Initial investigation into changes in chlorine feed point Indicate that the recommended action can be
  4850. accomplished while maintaining the required regulatory contact time for disinfection.
  4851. Change Filters to Granulated Activated Carbon (GAO)- The object of the other changes being made is
  4852. to reduce the TOC before chlorine Is added Into the process. The plant by design Is limited on the amount
  4853. of TOC removal possible. A maximum removal of only 60% Is likely If the plant Is properly optimized, The
  4854. change of filter media to GAC would provide the best reduction possible and provide better than 90%
  4855. removal dramatically reducing the potential for HHM formation and thus ensuring compliance with that
  4856. parameter for the water system. The change In filter media; however, is complicated requiring approval by
  4857. the state, design of the changes, procurement of the media and a contractor to install it. That will take time
  4858. and is likely in a range of $1.5 mllllon (more or less) In cost. The use of GAG also requires more testing and
  4859. monitoring of the media and the TOO than with the current media. GAC wlll accumulate TOC and begin to
  4860. become in effective after a period of time. Depending upon the level of TOC reaching the filters this could
  4861. be as short as 3 months and as long as 9 months. The amount of TOC is dependent upon the river water
  4862. quality and operation of the other plant processes. Once the ability of the filters to remove TOC Is
  4863. diminished, the GAC media has to be replaced if river water continues as a source. The change to lake
  4864. water will not require TOC removal and the media could continue to be used as filter media for that new
  4865. water source.
  4866. Corrosion Control - The primary focus of this was to assure compliance with the TTHM limits. That
  4867. Is not the only problem facing the city and Its customers though. Many people are frustrated and-naturally
  4868. concerned by the discoloration of the water with what primarily appears to be Iron from the old unlined cast
  4869. iron pipes. The water system could add a polyphosphate to the water as a way to minimize the amount of
  4870. discolored water. Polyphosphate addition will not make discolored water Issues go away. The system has
  4871. been experiencing a tremendous number of water line breaks the last two winters. Just last week there
  4872. were more than ·14 in one day. Any break, work on broken valves or hydrant flushing will change the flow of
  4873. water and potentially cause temporary discoloration.
  4874. Ellmlnate a Stor·age   The water system has more storage than it requires, due to excess capacity in
  4875. the water lines in combination with the storage tanl<s. The City has already employed LAN to update the
  4876. hydraulic model. The hydraulic model should be used to help determine if water levels can be lowered
  4877. further and even to remove some storage tanks from service. That decision may need to be made
  4878. 5
  4879. W8ter Quality Report
  4880. Marc/1 12, 2015
  4881. ........., ..
  4882. '"
  4883. Ui W
  4884. seasonally. For example demand during water main breaks last week required extensive amounts of water.
  4885. The excess storage Is more a problem with TTHM formation for the system In summer than winter.
  4886. Prioritize Valve   The hydraulic model shows long water age In portions of the system that
  4887. appear to be contributing to the TTHM problems. LAN has updated the model to Include the location of
  4888. broken valves and that added information is being used to Identify other system problems. The City has a
  4889. contract for valve turning and repair worl< that should be focused on known broken valves, particularly in
  4890. sections of the distribution system with old water age. This activity however must wait until warmer weather
  4891. In fear of causing problems in the water system with lines freezing.
  4892. Target and Increase Flushing - Flushing the fire hydrants can be useful in cleaning outlines to minimize
  4893. discolored water complaints and also helping reduce the age of water. This DOES NOT mean just opening
  4894. hydrants. The hydraulic model needs to be used to determine which hydrants should be opened and for
  4895. how long to ensure the lines are properly cleaned. For example, this might require 15 minutes or even
  4896. several hours of flushing depending on location. The flushing of hydrants also needs to include records of
  4897. hydrant condition, color of water Initially and after periodic increments plus chlorine residual testing. All of
  4898. that information will help provide Information to the engineers on the effectiveness of the procedure. Each
  4899. crew doing the work should be trained to help explain the process to the public and also warn
  4900. neighborhoods about flushing so that staining of laundry can be avoided.
  4901. • Change to Lake Wat er - The changes being made now to the water plant will not be the same changes
  4902. required to treat lake water once it becomes available. A thorough analysis and plan needs to be made In
  4903. preparallon of that switch. This is going to need to include changes in how the plant Is operated, like
  4904. eliminating lime softening and reducing the dosages of many chemicals. Consideration will also have to be
  4905. given to algae treatment when lake water is being used.
  4906. • Operating Programs- All of the changes discussed above are based on testing and techniques proposed
  4907. by engineers and skilled operators of both LAN and Veolla. The staff will need further training and
  4908. Implementation of detailed protocols to successfully Implement the changes and to ensure long-term
  4909. success at the plant. This means the City needs to Implement a series of programs to ensure success in
  4910. these changes.
  4911. o Process Control Management Plan (PCMP)- The amount of testing and resulting changes in
  4912. chemical dosages, along with monitoring the impact on the water, will require a well-documented
  4913. process that all operators follow. An example of this is jar testing, which is used by the operators to
  4914. Identify the most effective chemicals and dosages to optimize treatment. The staff understands the
  4915. basic treatment process but needs further practice and training to become proficient In the use of
  4916. routine process control to adjust for water quality. This Is commonly referred to as a PCMP and Is
  4917. used as a standard operating procedure so that the operators on the day shift can communicate
  4918. with the night shift, that operators are foll owing the same treatment plan for water, that the
  4919. adjustments are unified between different shi fts and different people, that a desired water treatment
  4920. quality is defined and variations from it signal alarms and that the staff knows what to do when the
  4921. water quality setpolnts begin to drift away from its desired quality levels.
  4922. o Lab QA/QC- The operation of the water plant Is dependent upon accurate lab results. Standard
  4923. operating procedure needs to be set and lab technicians trained in that process. EPA and the State
  4924. 6
  4925. Water Quality Report
  4926. March '12, 2015
  4927. .... ,,.,.,
  4928. set procedures and standards to be met and the staff should strive to meet those standards. The
  4929. City has already purchased a TTHM analyzer but should also consider a TOC analyzer that can be
  4930. an online conllnuous device to provide Immediate Information on Influent and effluent levels of TOC.
  4931. Part of the lab records should be historical review of data to help operators better understand the
  4932. changes they mal<e In the plant.
  4933. o Maintenance Management- The key to water equipment Is having all the equipment effectively
  4934. maintained and functioning property. The current capital program Is fixing many broken pieces of
  4935. equipment and updating the plant to current standards. This however mllst be foHowed with a
  4936. rigorous maintenance program that ensures the proper preventive maintenance, Is able to predict
  4937. when maintenance Is needed to keep equipment functioning properly and responsive to changes in
  4938. flows and source water quanty.
  4939. o Training -The changes being suggested are new to the staff and as such training needs to be
  4940. provided In what the changes involve, why they are being made, the impact on the water quality,
  4941. and how best to run the plant. A good demonstration of skill level is for the staff to become certified
  4942. by the State as a licensed water plant operator. Many utilities now require all operators to hold at
  4943. least the minimum certification level as a starting point and offer Incentives to Increase their
  4944. certification level.
  4945. • Communication Program- The city should lay out an immediate, written strategy for communicating with
  4946. the public in the short-term, as well as a 6-to-12 month strategy that contemplates known, future events like
  4947. the l<WA pipeline and switch to lake water. A wide range of activities are underway to work with the public
  4948. but a comprehensive and coordinated effort, with a strategic focus, will help the utility and its customers.
  4949. Dedicated Communications Personnel- The City has a single, dedicated public information
  4950. officer, tasked with providing service to all of city government. The current focus on
  4951. communications support for Public Works, and the anticipated needs over the next several years,
  4952. indicate the city would benefit from the hiring of a staff person In Public Works who could establish a
  4953. communications program designed to provide clear and concise information to a broad audience
  4954. though a number of different channels. In the interim, the city could hire a communications intern,
  4955. local communications finn, or somebody with experience who Is able to provide reduced or no-cost
  4956. services for the immediate future.
  4957. Communications Planning- Public Notification- The Clly should be congratulated on its efforts
  4958. to keep the public Informed. It is posting its monthly reports on the web page to provide
  4959. transparency, though these reports are highly technical- and may be too technical for the customer
  4960. base at large. They are valuable to those customers who do want this level of detail. The city should
  4961. create a single-page dashboard of information that outlines the water utility's performance for the
  4962. previous month, post the dashboard on the website, print copies for distribution at customer service
  4963. or other reception areas, and be provided during speal<lng engagements or other events. This
  4964. dashboard should be el:lsy to understand, and include:
  4965. o The number of water quality tests conducted the previous month
  4966. o The number of violations reported
  4967. 7
  4968. Water Qualify Repo1t
  4969. Marcil "12, 2015
  4970. o Whether these results are In or out of compliance
  4971. o Information about other proactive measures such as main and hydrant replacements, or
  4972. other programs to improve performance of the water utility
  4973. o Benchmarking informalion so the reader has a greater understanding of how Flint compares
  4974. with other similar utilities In the region and across the country
  4975. • Public Meetings-There should be additional, proactive coordination with neighborhood,
  4976. community and civic groups to provide speakers on timely topics. Given the list of numerous
  4977. responsibilities, the Public Works director cannot do it alone- the city should identify three or four
  4978. other staff members, knowledgeable about the water utility who can also speak to various groups,
  4979. provide information and answer questions. The development of an outreach strategy to target key
  4980. neighborh_ood, community and civic groups also will advance the communications effort and the
  4981. dissemination of Information in both the short and long term.
  4982. Standard tools -Work crews. in the field are often the faces of the utility- the city should create
  4983. standardized tools for communicating with the public that can be easily and qt1lckly delivered to the
  4984. community in the event of main breaks, flushing or pre-planned capital improvements. Tools should
  4985. Include:
  4986. o Door hangers for individual distribution
  4987. o Yard signs with simple messaging to be placed near work-sites
  4988. o A simple tri-fold brochure wilh useful information about the utility and appropriate contact
  4989. Information
  4990. o Specific flyers about a range of topics
  4991. o lnfographics about how the water system works, from the intake to the customer' s site
  4992. Change In Billing Format- The City currently has no real way to reach all customers on a regular
  4993. basis and provide Information. The city should consider changing from a billing postcard to using an
  4994. envelope and bill stuffer. Monthly or bi--monthly bill inserts are typically used to provide educational
  4995. material for customers and are standard ways to provide information. Understandably, budget
  4996. considerations must be taken into account.
  4997. • Use Public Affairs Programmi"ng and Opportunities- The news media has been covering this
  4998. topic quite extensively - there are other media-related opportunities that may reach a wider
  4999. audience. Taking advantage of these opportunities will help the city relay information to its
  5000. customers and the community.
  5001. o Participate In regular editorial-board meetings to provide bacl<ground Informati on and
  5002. updates on l<ey milestones or events.
  5003. o Identify a local weel<ly television program and offer to provide guests to speak about i<ey
  5004. milestones or upcoming events.
  5005. Water Quality Report
  5006. Marcll12, 2015
  5007. Conclusions and Next Steps
  5008. The focus of this report Is to help assure TTHM compliance and then improve general water quality. The City had
  5009. good results In Its most recent TTHM tests, although that Is to be expected with the changes made to dale and the
  5010. cooler weather which contributes to low TTHM formation. Warm weather will be a different situation both in the
  5011. nature of the Flint River water quality and in the formation of TTHM. Wllh those changes coming, the City needs to
  5012. act quickly to make improvements before additional testing tal(es place this spring and summer. The summary
  5013. below provides the recommended actions, a priority for their implementation and projected costs either operational
  5014. or capital. The costs are rough orders of magnitude and will vary with changes in water quality, operational
  5015. decisions, and engineering choices being made and In some cases require State approval. Although a priority Is
  5016. assigned many of these actions can take place simultaneously.
  5017. Priority Action Annual One Time
  5018. Operational Capital
  5019. Cost Cost
  5020. 1 Implement operating programs for process control, lab QA/QC, $ 25,000 $250,000 -
  5021. maintenance, and training. These programs are needed regardless of $ 350,000
  5022. the TTHM issue and will help with transition to lake water. The City
  5023. has decided upon a central maintenance software and the water
  5024. system should be the   i r ~ t to utilize this program since costs are
  5025. alreadybuqgeted. These pJograms should be initiated immediately.
  5026. 2 Contract with your engineer and Initiate discussions with the State on $ 0 $1,500,000
  5027. the reduction of chlorine prior to the filters-and changing the filter
  5028. media to GAC. This activity has the longest time frame for design and
  5029. approval, but also Is extremely critical to assuring reduced TTHM
  5030. production. The current filter cleaning and maintenance project needs
  5031. to be adjusted to take Into consideration the change in filter media
  5032. both to dispose of the anthracite Instead of cleaning and to Install the
  5033. GAC. This entire project needs to be done by early July to assure a
  5034. flow of water throughout the system. Several months are required for
  5035. the engineering design, State approval, bidding of work and
  5036. Installation of GAG and as such needs to begin now.
  5037. Contract with your engineer and Initiate discussions with the State on $ 160,000 .. $50,000
  5038. the addition of 0.6 to 1.2 mg/L of either potassium permanganate (dry) $320,000
  5039. or sodium permanganate (liquid). This will take time to get approved
  5040. and to implement. The use of liquid tanks at the raw water pump
  5041. .station may be the quicl<est and least expensive alternati ve for a
  5042. temporary measure.
  5043. 9
  5044. Water Quality Repo1t
  5045. March ·12, 20"15
  5046. Contract with your engineer and initiate discussions with the State on
  5047. the addition of a corrosion control chemical. This action can be
  5048. submitted and discussed with the state at the same time as the other
  5049. chemical and filter changes saving time and effort. A target dosage of
  5050. 0.5 mg/L phosphate is s u g ~ e s t e   for improved corrosion control.
  5051. 3 Increase the ferric chloride dosage to 100 mg/L depending on river
  5052. water TOG levels. (Lower TOC levels can be treated with less ferric
  5053. chloride.} This change can be made now and is allowed by the State.
  5054. Reduce the ozone feed rate to 5 mgl. This change can be done now
  5055. and does not require State approval.
  5056. Reduce the lime dosage to minimize hardness levels arter softening.
  5057. This will eliminate magnesium removal during treatment, but wilt also
  5058. reduce total hardness. A reduction in carbon dioxide dosing for
  5059. recarbonation treatment also Is expected due to the reduction in lime
  5060. feed. This change can be made now and does not require State
  5061. ap_Qroval.
  5062. 4 Confirm with the engineer when the revised hydraulic model will be
  5063. completed and if necessary for time to focus on areas of longest water
  5064. age If that would speed up the effort. Identify Impact of reducing tank
  5065. levels or eliminating a tank seasonally to improve water age. Include
  5066. with this effort a list of hydrants to flush along with time required to
  5067. assure drawing fresh water through the system. The engineer has
  5068. been assigned this tasl< already and confirmation of the timing of a
  5069. delivery Is needed.
  5070. Ask the engineer to identify closed valves on a map that are impacting
  5071. water age and that can be bid for replacement as soon as weather
  5072. permits. Have the engineer identify areas of the system where the
  5073. valve contractor should be focused on finding and fixing closed
  5074. valves.
  5075. 5 Implement the recommendations in the communications program
  5076. including a person. assigned to public works education, using
  5077. envelopes instead of cards alqng with bill stuffers for education and
  5078. provide training for staff. Envelopes and bill stutrers are expensive
  5079. and might be done pe·riodically and not every month. The cost of
  5080. TTHM notices, Annual Water Quality Reports ancl City notices should
  5081. be figured into If any additional costs would exist. Many of these
  5082. changes are undeJWay_now by the City.
  5083. Notes
  5084. $ 50,000 $50,000
  5085. $ 1,000,000 $ 0
  5086. ($50,000- $ 0
  5087. $100 000
  5088. ($270,000) $ 0
  5089. $ 0 Already
  5090. Contracted
  5091. $ 0 Already
  5092. Budgeted
  5093. Position
  5094. Being
  5095. Budgeted
  5096. • The costs provided are rough order of masnltude which final engineering wlll nrm up but will fluctuate with nnal decisions on engineering,
  5097. operating technique and water quality.
  5098. • The chango from river to lake water will dramatically cut the chemical costs as less Is needad oncathe change occurs.1hls means that potassium
  5099. pcrmaneanato wlllllkely not be needed, ferric will drop as much as It went up, ozone levels will be lower and little lime will be needed.
  5100. 10
  5101. Water Quality Report
  5102. March 12, 20·15
  5103. Results Expected
  5104. The real question is what changes can be expected from these results in lowering the TTHM, improving the
  5105. aesthetics and preparing for the change to lake water.
  5106. TTHM- The City has already made great strides In reducing the TTHM levels with the changes already
  5107. made. The additional suggestions by Veolla will further reduce TTHM rn the water and help get the city
  5108. released from the notices being provided to customers.
  5109. • Hal'dness - The hardness entering the plant this winter Is 360 mg/L with the current system reducing It to
  5110. 210 mg/L and optimization will reduce to about 180 mg/L. During the summer the levels will be lower
  5111. probably in the 140 mg/L to 150 mg/L range. The target set by the current best operating practices is 120
  5112. mg/L to 150 mg/L.
  5113. Discolored Water- The discolored water is caused by the old unlined cast Iron pipe. The water from the
  5114. plant can have an impact on discolored water, but a greater concern is the breaks and constwclion work
  5115. that disrupt the flow of water causing discoloration. A polyphosphate Is suggested to help bind the old cast
  5116. iron pipe reducing Instances of discolored water. This along with Improve flow of water and programmed
  5117. hydrant flushing will help, BUT WILL NOT eliminate discolored water occurrences.
  5118. Change to Lake Watel'- The recommendations Include the suggestion of programs to help the staff better
  5119. manage the treatment process, additional testing to adjust the plant and additional lab monitoring, a
  5120. maintenance program focused on keeping equipment properly functioning and more training for staff to
  5121. Improve their skill level. Those actions will prepare the staff for the change of water sources when It comes
  5122. next year in addition to developing a thorough plan for the switch.
  5123. 11
  5124. <(
  5125. -
  5126. _J
  5127. 0
  5128. w
  5129. >
  5130. G
  5131. Week 1
  5132. o Provide a review of current
  5133. actions
  5134. a Engage staff, visit facilities
  5135. and analyze data
  5136. o Make interim report
  5137. \f\leek 2
  5138. ~ ~ . . . .  
  5139. o Carry out rnore detailed study
  5140. of initi al findings
  5141. o !Vlake recornrYlendations for
  5142. Improving \Nai:er quality
  5143. o Provide a plan, co:st and
  5144. schedule for chanoe
  5145. Items of Note
  5146. o Not in scope- studying why the change from DWSD or the history of the utility
  5147. <!I What we found- A very frustrated community and a staff trying to solve the problem,
  5148. having some success but frustrated with the pace of change
  5149. Q February 18, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee 2
  5150. o City, state, news media, universities and
  5151. other groups
  5152. o Safe = compliance with state and federal
  5153. standards and. required testing
  5154. o Latest tests show water is in compliance with
  5155. drinking water standards
  5156. o Monthly report available on web page
  5157. o More than 20,000 tests required annually
  5158. for city
  5159. o Strict testing requirements in place (what
  5160. and how to test)
  5161. 0 February 18,2015 Flint Public Works Committee 3
  5162. o TTHM is formed as a result of the reaction between chlorine
  5163. and organic material in the water ·
  5164. o City is required. to test quarterly at 8 sites
  5165. o Last summe0 several sites had more TTHM than allowed
  5166. o City has reduced levels of TTHM and now all sites are in
  5167. compliance
  5168. o Customer notification letters are required until tests are in
  5169. compliance an average of four quarters
  5170. o It wifl take at least 2 more quarters to lower average
  5171. o Even a change to DWSD water doesn't solve problem
  5172. o Flint is not alone- hundreds of communities are facing
  5173. TTHM issues
  5174. G February 18, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee 4
  5175. o Old cast iron pipes
  5176. o Always has been some
  5177. discolored water problems -
  5178. mostly after water
  5179. o Efforts to reducing TTHM
  5180. didn't help discoloration
  5181. o Doesn't mean the water is
  5182. unsafe but it is not appealing
  5183. and raises questions
  5184. o City will test the water at
  5185. your home - call 787-6537
  5186. or emai l
  5187. fl i ntwate r@cityoffl i nt. com
  5188. o Tracking customer
  5189. compraints is important
  5190. G February 18, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee
  5191. Location of water quality complaints
  5192. The last 12 months- fewer than you think
  5193. A ,._: ...... :.-. ...:. : ... ::...: - .. ... . . ···-
  5194. ,_ . ....,.' • -- -
  5195. . _;: ... .
  5196. ,__ .,... !!: f •• . j ''" < ?;'\ • •
  5197. ,, _,_ •J;>, 'Ill > - • .' ' • < ¥ ,. =
  5198. .,.,_ '<'<,\/ • '? ·,; :_.·. '•, : . .\' ·-D' fl< . <? -
  5199. •... tf l i -:,,\ ' ..
  5200. 1; 'P/ ·[ "'..., :: :J. ·.1'-'\ · ·,:··-: '· ·
  5201. \ ,., __ _ \ " ·, ' ;; \ )./ l ...... ·fi
  5202. l J?;_ , . · !, . 9 ® .
  5203. 1
  5204. . '\':::·.··· ,i·: •• •:-,,, !Hrtrti<tol, :,;,Fw.rl £ ··(<) • ft:-,Jt:
  5205. · ·. <'.,, · ··•.:·<q Y, . ·
  5206. . .. 'i " : 'Y · .. ,:, . r; . ·, --
  5207. -$ :1 · ). . ).;'•' Fhnt 't. .. '·' .• ·
  5208. @ "< _.:.)..,.:.:. __..I"'' : _Jg-.: ,.,.@o:=="-...,.,.et
  5209. {
  5210. ' . i \:? · .... ... L>;wFJ •:·H:
  5211. @ "'"'·'' " mJ :·· ) . . \;;_ - .. . . t") l>;.;..
  5212. :& ,. • • \'H. • .. ...,.. . .. '"' •. . 'i ..
  5213. \ ,., .. P )/· .:·.:\/ ·· ; . E
  5214. \ _ ·   ... i JttrtN{.\. @ . 1
  5215. ,, ; •   • ';;:·:i>:,\ ,; • ·: . . '-' lf;>!G\I!fl.b ."i "
  5216. r,J .. .. ;,;,f?:,,,.i
  5217. 7
  5218. .' , 1
  5219. ¢ ..   c·· • ! ·''; ..
  5220. G .
  5221. s
  5222. o Adjust the chemicals being fed-
  5223. stop some, increase some and
  5224. change some
  5225. o Provide better monitoring of water
  5226. quality to help make adjustments
  5227. o Continue repair or replacement of
  5228. broken parts
  5229. o Reduce the over capacity of the
  5230. distribution system
  5231. o Do a better job explaining what is
  5232. happening
  5233. o Do a better job of asking for help
  5234. 0 February 18, 2015 Flint Publ ic Works Commi ttee G
  5235. <
  5236. -_J
  5237. 0
  5238. w
  5239. >
  5240. G
  5241. o Water plant improvements
  5242. o Optimize chemical dosages
  5243. o Consider different chemicals
  5244. o Change dosing points
  5245. o install granulated activated carbon
  5246. o Complete plant upgrades
  5247. o Implement best mgt practices
  5248. o Distribution system
  5249. improvements
  5250. o Fix broken valves
  5251. o Ask for customer feedback
  5252. o Reduce tank storage
  5253. o Target line flushing
  5254. o Run a hydraulic model
  5255. o Better communication with
  5256. customers
  5257. o Engage advisory committees
  5258. o More accessible utility
  5259. o Make it easy to access information
  5260. o Better customer communicaUon
  5261. G February 18, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee
  5262. 8
  5263. 0
  5264. •
  5265. 0
  5266. //
  5267. ferric chloride 00
  5268. lime cationic   ·
  5269. anionic
  5270. Test each unit to find the best
  5271. combination of chemical & dosage
  5272. Compare combined process to
  5273. industry benchmarks for water quality
  5274. Use models to predict results for
  5275. TIHM, Chlorine Levels and Corrosion
  5276. G February 16, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee
  5277. /"71
  5278. carbon dioxide m
  5279. chlorine W
  5280. fluoride /
  5281. chlorine -m
  5282. 9
  5283. Cost effective plan in budget
  5284. a Complete water plant renovation
  5285. o Target SCAD A and instrumentation in
  5286. plant
  5287. o Speed up valve turning contract
  5288. & provide money for
  5289. replacements
  5290. o Speed up hydraulic model update
  5291. to reduce tank volume
  5292. o Evaluate installing of granulated
  5293. activated carbon on filters
  5294. Weather can ;mpact timing
  5295. 0 February 1 B, 2015 Flint Publ ic Works Commi\tee
  5296. Digging up a water valve for repair
  5297. Need good weather to start
  5298. 10
  5299. Activities to Help Operators
  5300. Maintain Good Water Quality
  5301. o Process Control
  5302. Management Plan
  5303. o Lab QA/QC Program
  5304. o Computerized Maintenance
  5305. Management System
  5306. o Asset Management System
  5307. o Training and Certification
  5308. Program
  5309. o Vulnerability Plan
  5310. G February 1 S, 2015 Flint Public Works Commi ttee
  5311. 11
  5312. o Speed up flow of water from
  5313. plant to homes - 2 weeks
  5314. plant to house
  5315. o Find closed valves & open them
  5316. o Replace broken valves
  5317. o Update hydraulic model
  5318. o Reduce system storage
  5319. o Track customer complaints
  5320. o Test customer water
  5321. o Spot flush hydrants to clean areas
  5322. of stagnant water in the system
  5323. Q February 18, 2015 Fli nt Public Works Commi ttee
  5324. Flushing out discolored water
  5325. 12
  5326. <(
  5327. -
  5328. ....)
  5329. 0
  5330. w
  5331. >
  5332. 0
  5333. Develop a proactive customer communication plan
  5334. o Create advisory committees to help direct efforts and improve flow
  5335. of information
  5336. o Establish a single point of contact to manage all water quality
  5337. complaints
  5338. o Provide additional customer service training to staff
  5339. o Exp-and neighborhood and community outreach
  5340. o Change monthly billing statements from card to envelope with
  5341. information
  5342. 0 February 18, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee
  5343. 14
  5344. "
  5345. NOTICE: ANNUAL FLUSHING PROGRAM
  5346. We are conducting our annual flushing program to enhance your
  5347. water quality and dean the distribution system.
  5348. DC Water crews will be flushing hydrants in your area
  5349. 10:00 p.m. to 6'(0 a.m. on the following d7a es:
  5350. r/Z.f through __.· CJ'-+-
  5351. 7
  5352. ----'--- 3_0 __ _
  5353.   iNFORMATION
  5354. • Your water supply will not be shut off during hydrant flushing.
  5355. • You may notice slight water discoloration or low water pressure.
  5356. • During this time, customers can continue normal water usage,
  5357. including drinking, bathing and laundry (unless water is discolored).
  5358. If you expedence discolored water during this period:
  5359. o Run your cold water taps for 15 minutes. If it does
  5360. not dear up, please contact our Dri_nkingWater Division.
  5361. • Do not run your hot water. If you experience discolored
  5362. water from your hot water tap for several hours, then it is
  5363. recommended to drain and flush your water heater tank.
  5364. 0 February 18, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee
  5365. 15
  5366. Addressing Flint's Water Concerns: Water System Questions
  5367. & Answers and Related Documents.
  5368.  
  5369. Added Below on 128.2015: DWTP Monthly Operation Report and
  5370. Water Quality Report Summary.
  5371. Ccycf r:int-.·.·11
  5372. <;,L'il':tf tM pt..l:ifi.C);>pt'•ls.td oCtJ'Ie :Utu::; Cr( d't;n_un: Wit(<f)n flint :asU'ft!J
  5373.  
  5374. n-.- -•-"-'--' <--
  5375. 1
  5376. -··· v checking back for updated
  5377. Recent Posts
  5378. > C'.tro:811'1t'··J:Jtir S!l t.f;,J
  5379. CLI!".C..T4-":0
  5380. • .:m.s
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  5384. tS:vtS •
  5385. ) •
  5386.  
  5387.  
  5388. > tv ;:.f •  
  5389.      
  5390. Sr!Cf."l'C;tS'Ck.'/i. S.s::;,.l't\fF:I'e
  5391. MidW\lS -.s r.uc Sl\o?.'l ir
  5392. ft.t.rvll')'.:.l:015
  5393. > ' ''J'   f((ofn
  5394.  
  5395.  
  5396.  
  5397. we,!,. •••... 1 $00.1 .(.to
  5398.   ;..tC:i.S 201 S
  5399. >    
  5400. •
  5401. s .. -.'.ce. f;x   f<2tf\.•;r;
  5402.  
  5403. f,Jt'll5
  5404. > or-..·t O'rt-.1N CtYft
  5405. e- - - A fe
  5406. 0 February 1 B, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee
  5407. 16
  5408. <(
  5409. :J
  5410. 0
  5411. w
  5412. >
  5413. G
  5414. VVeek 1
  5415. ·-o
  5416. o Provide a review of current
  5417. actions
  5418. o Engage staff, visit facilities
  5419. and analyze data
  5420. o f\/lake interirn report
  5421. G February 18, 2015 Flint Public Wor ks Commilfee
  5422. Week2
  5423. o Carry out more detailed study
  5424. of initial findings
  5425. o Make recommendations for
  5426. Improving water quality
  5427. o Provide a plan, cost and
  5428. schedule for chanae
  5429. 18
  5430. REMEMBER
  5431. We just started. Might not have an answer yet to your question
  5432. o When will water improve -The water has improved with
  5433. current actions. More changes will occur over weeks and
  5434. months because of safety reviews
  5435. o Date of next update and final report- An update will be
  5436. provided next week and a report the following week.
  5437. o Time frame ~   r implementing recommendations -The
  5438. City is already started. Others a few days and some weeks
  5439. or months due to State approval being required or weather.
  5440. o Cost of changes - Don't know yet but we are aware of the
  5441. financial concerns
  5442. Q February '!8, 1!015 Flint Public Works Committee 19
  5443. G
  5444. o How are TTHM formed - It's the reaction of chlorine to
  5445. organics (leafs, dirt) in the water.
  5446. o How to reduce TTHM - Reduce organics before introducing
  5447. chlorine and shorten time chlorine has to react with the
  5448. ·,
  5449. organ res
  5450. o What causes discoloration - Older lines, the iron parts of
  5451. the system will leach iron into the water causing the
  5452. discoloration. Other tfmes its just air built up.
  5453. o Why no discoloration with DWSD -There was. Flint had
  5454. a bad time with breaks of old line and is doing lots of
  5455. construction. This stirred up the water and caused
  5456. discoloration.
  5457. 20
  5458. o Can you test my water- The city will test your water for
  5459. free. But
  5460. 1
  5461. only 2 of 20 people have taken the city up on the
  5462. offer since it began offering the service.
  5463. o Medical problems - Some people may be sensitive to any
  5464. water. Talk to your doctor. The City is communicating with the
  5465. medical community.
  5466. o Confidence that future problems will be avoided -
  5467. Recommendations will include putting programs in place to
  5468. better respond to water changes and assure quality
  5469. 0 February 16, 2015 Flint Public Works Committee 21
  5470. <
  5471. :::i
  5472. 0
  5473. w
  5474. >
  5475. G
  5476. .. ······-····-··-·--···--------
  5477. From: GOV Newsroom [mailto:govnewsroom@govsubscrlptions.michigan.gov]
  5478. Sent: Thursday, October 2015 4:55 PM
  5479. To: Snyder, Rick (G
  5480. Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Gov. Rick Snyder signs orizing funding for Fli nt to move back to Detroit water system
  5481. Contacts: Sara Wurfel or Dave Murray ·
  5482. 517-335-6397
  5483. qovernor Rick   n y d ~ e
  5484. REINVENTIN. . ICHIGAN
  5485. Getting It Right. Gettin It Done.
  5486. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  5487. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015
  5488. Gov. Rick Snyder signs bill authorizing funding for Flint to
  5489. move back to Detroit water system
  5490. Temporary reconnection provides best protection for public health
  5491. 1
  5492. LANSING, Mich.- Gov. Rick Snyder has signed bipartisan legislation that will direct funding to the
  5493. City of Flint's emergency water services to reconnect the city's water supply to the Great Lakes
  5494. Water Authority until the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline is completed.
  5495. "This funding is a coordinated response to a serious problem and I'm pleased so many parties
  5496. came together to help deliver safe drinking water to the city of Flint," Snyder said. "Reconnecting to
  5497. the Great Lakes Water Authority is only the first step, as ·the state will continue testing and
  5498. inspections to ensure Flint families and children have clean water in their homes and schools."
  5499. House Bill 4102, sponsored by state Rep. AI Pscholka, authorizes $6 million to move the city back
  5500. to Detroit's water system until the new pipeline is finished. ·
  5501. In addition to the $6 million:
  5502. • $300,000 goes to the Department of Environmental Quality's drinking water and
  5503. environmental health services;
  5504. • $1 million will provide for DEQ to test drinking water samples;
  5505. • $1 million allows the Department of Health and Human Services to purchase and distribute
  5506. water filters to Flint residents; .
  5507. • $850,000 will aid in follow-up services for c.hildren, including testing, investigations, and
  5508. case management for those with elevated blood lead levels;
  5509. • $200,000 will · fund state plumbing inspections for schools and health facilities.
  5510. • The City of Flint city government will provide $2 million toward reconnecting the water
  5511. supply and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has committed $4 million.
  5512. The bill was approved unanimously in both the House and Senate and is now Public Act 143 of
  5513. 2015.
  5514. For more information on this and other legislation, please visit www.legislature.mi.gov.
  5515. ####
  5516. 2
  5517. STAY CONNECTED:
  5518. ~ :   ~   ~
  5519. This email was sent to snyderr11@mlchlgan.gov on behalf of: The Executive Office of the Governor· 11'1 South Capitol Avenue· Lansing, Ml 48909 · 517-
  5520. 335-7858
  5521. 3
  5522. From: Wyant, Dan (DEQ)
  5523. Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2015 4:30PM
  5524. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  5525. Cc: Wurfel, Sara (GOV) <Wurfefs@michigan.gov>; Agen, Jarred (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  5526. <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>
  5527. Subject: FW: Detroit News Flint II
  5528. Governor,
  5529. Attached is our response to the Detroit News for a story that they are preparing for tomorrow. Part of
  5530. that story looks at whether the DEQ staff followed appropriate federal protocols in light of Flint's
  5531. population size.
  5532. My responses, enclosed here, are an effort to acknowledge something that has come out in the past
  5533. week through internal review. Simply said, our staff believed they were constrained by two
  5534. consecutive six"month tests. We followed and defended that protocol. I believe now we made a
  5535. mistal<e. For communities with a population above 50,000, optimized corrosion control should have
  5536. been required from the beginning.
  5537. Because of what I have learned, I will be announcing a change in leadership in our drinking water
  5538. program. I've spoken with Dennis about this, and will be making that announcement as part of the
  5539. Detroit News article that likely will be out tomorrow.
  5540. We've spoken with Jarred and Sara about this today as well.
  5541. Call me if you have any questions. Thank you.
  5542. Dan Wyant, Director
  5543. Department of Environmental Quality
  5544. 517-284-6700 (New Number)
  5545. From: Wurfel, Brad (DEQ)
  5546. Sent: Sunday, October 18, 20l5 3:54PM
  5547. To: Agen, Jarrod (GOV); Clement, Elizabeth (GOV); Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  5548. Cc: Wyant, Dan (DEQ); Wurfel, Sara (GOV); Murray, David (GOV)
  5549. Subject: Detroit News Flint II
  5550. All,
  5551. 1
  5552. Brad,
  5553. After reviewing the emails made available through FOIA, there are several things that seem to need
  5554. addressing.
  5555. 1. It appears DEQ staffers have essentially down played or ignored warning signs from EPA's water
  5556. expert, Miguel Deltoral. We have been aware of Mr. Deltoral's unofficial memo that went public
  5557. in Apri l. But his email dated two months earlier on Feb. 27, to Jennifer Crooks and Mike Prysby,
  5558. he seems to lay out exactly what's come to pass ...
  5559. "(Particulate lead readings) Folks tend to discount these values as anomalies, but particulate lead
  5560. release is a normal part of the corrosion process and it is universal (common) in all systems. It's just
  5561. that it's not captured as often by the infrequent LCR sampling. If systems are pre-flushing the tap
  5562. the night before collecting LCR compliance samples (MDEQ) still provides these instructions to
  5563. public water systems) this clears particulate lead out of the plumbing and biases the results low by
  5564. eliminating the highest lead values. If systems are pre-flushing and still finding particulate lead, t he
  5565. amount of particulate lead in t he system can be higher than what is being detected using these
  5566. "pre-flushed" first-draw samples.
  5567. "My point on that was that people are exposed t o the particulate lead on a daily basis, but the
  5568. particulate lead is being flushed away before collecting compl iance samples which provides false
  5569. assurance to residents about the true lead levels in the water."
  5570. Miguel goes on to address the optimal corrosion control situation in that same Feb 27 email.
  5571. "If I remember correctly, Detroit is feeding (phosphate) for the lead/copper rule, but since Flint
  5572. is no longer part of that interconnection, I was wondering what their OCCTwas. They are
  5573. required to have OCCT in place which is why I was asking what t hey were using."
  5574. So what I'm seeing here is Miguel having raised these issues as far back as February. When
  5575. unofficial April memo shows up, it's clear these issues still haven't been addressed.
  5576. Another email from the day before came from Jennifer Crooks at EPA which also highlights early
  5577. concern about a lack of proper corrosion controls as well as the testing methods.
  5578. "The City can't j ust flush in advance of t aking the compliance samples, they have t o flush the
  5579. lines on a regular basis."
  5580. Can you respond to the fact that it appears the state ignored or disregarded several warnings
  5581. from EPA officials about testing deficiencies and insufficient corrosion controls?
  5582. Em ails offer snapshots of a much broader conversation. The program staff did not ignore the
  5583. information. They believed they were handling the situation in full accordance with federal
  5584. protocols, and contacted EPA Region 5 officials prompt ly to seek guidance. They were more
  5585. than halfway done with compliance sampling under the federal protocol and the goth percentile
  5586. samples to that point showed 6 pbb- barely in excess of the 5 pbb threshold.
  5587. 2. Corrosion control, or the lack thereof, seems to be another major problem here. At the first of
  5588. the recent press conferences, Dan Wyant said that lime was being used as a corrosion control
  5589. method. But that is cl early contradicted by DEQ staff at several points. One of those is Pat
  5590. Cook's email from April 24.
  5591. "Fli nt is currently not practicing corrosion control treatment at the (water treatment plant)."
  5592. Thi s puts Dan's comments about the li me into question.
  5593. There's been some confusion on this point, and I t hink it was addressed in our previous
  5594. response. This was a misunderstanding with technical staff. Lime was added to soften t he water.
  5595. While it adjusts pH and can have some Impact on corrosivity, it was insufficient corrosion
  5596. control.
  5597. 3. I gather from several exchanges in here that EPA and DEQ disagree over t hat the state's
  5598. responsibility was in ensuring there was optimal corrosion control. One of the emai ls from July
  5599. includes notes from a meeting of all the parties shows that EPA was asking why that hadn't been
  5600. used from the outset, and the state's response was something along these li nes:
  5601. ""MDEQ explained that they did not treat the switch to Flint River water as a "new system," but
  5602. as a new source. It is their understanding that two rounds of 6-month t esting is still needed to
  5603. characteri ze the water quality. They don't know what optimized is until those two rounds of six month
  5604. monitoring are completed."
  5605. Under the lead copper rule, was the state required to haite phosphate treatment in place? It appears
  5606. here that t he state chose to interpret the CLR as not requiring corrosion control. That seems li ke a highly
  5607. dubious conclusion.
  5608. And after concerns were rai sed repeatedly beginning (at least as early as February), why was nothi ng
  5609. done?
  5610. What has become clear in recent weeks is that staff believed they were handling t he situation In
  5611. accordance with the proper protocol for a water provider usi ng a new source, but t he federal Lead and
  5612. Copper rul e has a particular provision for communit ies over 50,000 people; that the system operator
  5613. must continue treati ng with full corrosion control even as they test t he water.
  5614. What the staff did would have been the proper protocol for a community under 50,000 people. None of
  5615. the DEQ staff in t his division had ever worked on a water source switch for a community over 50,000
  5616. people- it' s uncommon for our big communities to switch sources.
  5617. It's increasingly clear t here was confusion here, but it also is increasingly clear that DEQ staff believed
  5618. t hey were using the proper federal protocol and they were not.
  5619. The Governor wi ll soon announce an independent, third party, after-action review to detail what
  5620. happened and why, and offer steps to make sure Michigan's drinking water program is on a better
  5621. course in the future.
  5622. 4. Another area of concern, one I mentioned on t he phone, is the pace of response. And I
  5623. understand that the lead copper rul e lays out response times. But you have concerns being
  5624. raised about lead by an EPA expert as far back as February. The state's response, in several
  5625. instances, is that federal guidelines give us two six-month periods to collect samples, and then
  5626. more time to submit an action plan, and then a year or more to enact that plan.
  5627. While those delays in making a change may be permitted under the law, given that we're t ~ l l   i n g
  5628. about a possible public health crisis, why wasn't there more expediency? The responses in these
  5629. emails appear to be without any sense of urgency at a time when Flint resiqents may have been
  5630. drinking dangerous water.
  5631. The results of two rounds of water testing showed the city needed to move to optimizing its
  5632. corrosion control. That order was issued Aug. 17.
  5633. 5. At many points along the way, serious concerns are made about the state's testing methods.
  5634. The Virginia Tech results were not the first time someone had indicated state testi ng- as
  5635. approved by federal guidelines- might not be giving accurate readings.
  5636. Miguel's April memo reads: "I wanted to follow up on this because Fl int has essentially
  5637. not been using any corrosion control treatment since April 30, 2014 and they have (lead
  5638. service lines) . Given the very high lead levels found at one home and the pre-flushing
  5639. happening in Flint, I' m worried that the whole town may have much higher lead levels
  5640. than the compliance results indicated, since they are using pre-flushing ahead of their
  5641. compliance sampling."
  5642. There is substantial controversy over the lead and copper rule- the EPA has been working for years on
  5643. ways to update it, and Michigan will be an active part of that conversation going forward. The situation
  5644. in Flint is a snapshot of an issue affecting cities around the state and the nation. More than a dozen
  5645. states use the sampling protocol Michigan uses- that's not a defense of the protocol, but rather an
  5646. Indication that even experts on the issue disagree about the most effective testing methods.
  5647. What everyone can agree on is that lead is a serious issue. And I think everyone can agree that when the
  5648. state came to recognize that there could be a health threat in the city, we took appropriate action. We
  5649. are now engaged In an unprecedented effort to protect kids and families In Flint, develop more
  5650. knowledge about what has happened and how people were affected, and take steps to make sure it
  5651. doesn't happen again -In Michigan, or anywhere else.
  5652. All the people who brought this issue forward deserve credit for bringing it to us. Our actions reflected
  5653. inexperience, and our public response to criticism was the wrong tone early in this conversation. But the
  5654. best we can do with the situation going forward is represented in our present course - the Governor's
  5655. plan represents all the suggestions outlined in the draft EPA rnemo, the Virginia Tech report, and the
  5656. guidance we've gotten from EPA.
  5657. We will learn from this. We will make necessary changes to see to it that our program becomes a
  5658. national leader in protection.
  5659. Need your review of this document. It's our response to Detroit News story t hey' re prepping for
  5660. tomorrow.
  5661. Per Sara, Dan wW call Jarrod shortly to discuss what we're proposing to do here.
  5662. Thanks,
  5663. b
  5664. 2
  5665. From: Wurfel, Sara (GOV}
  5666. Sent: Wednesday, October 2 2015 9:21AM
  5667. To: Snyder, Rick
  5668. Cc: Agen, Jarred (GOV} <AgenJ@mi chigan , Dennis (GOV} <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement,
  5669. Elizabeth (GOV} <clemente@michigan.gov>; Scott, Allison (GOV} <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  5670. Subject: Re: Flint water question from Mildred
  5671. From DHHS on this pmticular 0/issue: Dr. Eden Wells spoke this am with Dr. Mona Hannah Attisha, Dr.
  5672. Lawrence Reynolds and the lead Public Health nurse at the Genesee County Health Department and there is
  5673. absolutely no lnfmmation to suppott the claims made by the Reverend on Mildred Gaddis' show. Dr. Hannah
  5674. Attisha also checked the Intensive Care Unit and there were no patients similar to what the e v ~ r e n d described.
  5675. Additional Background:
  5676. MDHHS has daily communication with the Genesee Co. Health Department via daily calls at 3 p.m. and Dr.
  5677. Eden Wells also conununicates frequently with Dr. Mona Hanna Attisha ofHmley and Dr. Lawrence Reynolds
  5678. who heads up Pediatrics ofHmley.
  5679. We will follow up with Mildred. And we should definitely consider if/who follows up with Rev Bullock as well
  5680. - Harvey? Dennis?
  5681. Sent from my iPhone
  5682. On Oct 21,2015, at 8:00AM, Wurfel, Sara (GOV) <Wmfels@michigan.gov> wrote:
  5683. Would quickly add that DHHS has almost daily conference calls with the local public health
  5684. depa1tment in Flint. Nothing like thls has come up to date. But again they are working to double
  5685. and triple check
  5686. Sent fi:om my iPhone
  5687. On Oct 21, 2015, at 7:41AM, Wurfel, Sara (GOV) <Wmfels@michigan.gov>
  5688. wrote:
  5689. Absolutely, had talked with Allison about that. DI-ll-IS is double checking just in
  5690. case and will help track down ASAP.
  5691. 1
  5692. Sent from my iPhone
  5693. She claimed that two Flint children were in critical condition over
  5694. lead. Her source was Rev. Bullock I said I wasn't aware of that
  5695. and that all of the identified children were being tracked by public
  5696. health officials. Please check on the status of children with higher
  5697. level of lead.
  5698. Thanks
  5699. Rick
  5700. Sent from my iPad
  5701. 2
  5702. From: GOV Newsroom [mail to:govnewsroom@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov]
  5703. Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 2:07 PM
  5704. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  5705. Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Gov. RickS Water Task Force to review state, federal and municipal
  5706. actions, offer recommendations
  5707. Contacts: Sara Wurfel or Dave Murray
  5708. 517-335-6397
  5709. Governor Rick  
  5710. REINVE:NTIN
  5711. Getting Right. Getttn It Done.
  5712. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  5713. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015
  5714. Gov. Rick Snyder announces Flint Water Task Force to review state,
  5715. federal and municipal actions, offer recommendations
  5716. Experts in public health, water management, environmental protection to focus on steps to
  5717. · protect residents
  5718. LANSING, Mich.- Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the creation of an independent advisory
  5719. task force charged with reviewing actions regarding water use and testing in Flint and offer
  5720. recommendations for futLire guidelines to protect the health and safety of all state residents.
  5721. Task force members include experts in public health and medicine, water management, and
  5722. environmental protection from both sides of the aisle, and will be co-chaired by Ken Sikke!Jla of
  5723. Public Sector Consultants and Chris Kolb, of the Michigan Environmental Council. Also serving will
  5724. be Dr. Matthew Davis of the University of Michigan Health System, Eric Rothstein, of the Galardi
  5725. Rothstein Group and Dr. Lawrence Reynolds of Matt Children's Health Center in Flint.
  5726. 1
  5727. "Transitioning back to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Depariment-Great Lakes Water Authority is
  5728. a good first step to protecting public health in Flint, but it's not the last step," Snyder said. "Bringing
  5729. in outside experts to evaluate our actions and help monitor and advise on potential changes to law,
  5730. procedures and practices will be key to continuing work on the comprehensive action plan and
  5731. ensuring safe drinking water for all the residents in Flint and all of Michigan."
  5732. Snyder said the administration will fully cooperate with task force members, saying he wants an
  5733. unbiased report focusing on steps taken in the past and recommendations that could improve
  5734. practices to ensure all residents have access to safe, clean water.
  5735. Ken Sikkema is a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants, where he specializes in public
  5736. finance, environment, and energy policy. Prior to joining the firm, Sikkema served in both the
  5737. Michigan House and Senate, culminating with four years as Senate majority leader. He has also
  5738. served as both an adjunct and visiting professor at Grand Valley State University.
  5739. Chris Kolb is president of the Michigan Environmental Council, a statewide coalition of 70
  5740. environmental, public health and faith-based nonprofit groups. Before joining the MEC, Kolb
  5741. represented Ann Arbor in the state House for six years and served six years on the Ann Arbor City
  5742. Council. He has been president of the MEC for six years.
  5743. Matthew Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., is professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the University
  5744. of Michigan Health System and professor of public poli cy at the Gerald R. Ford School at the
  5745. University of Michigan, having joined the faculty in 2000. Davis also is a professor of health
  5746. management and policy at the School of Public Health. He previously served as the chief medical
  5747. executive of the Michigan Department of Community Health/Department of Health and Human
  5748. Services.
  5749. Eric Rothstein is a national water issues consultant and principal at the Galardi Rothstein Group.
  5750. He served as an independent advisor on the creation of the Great Lakes Water Authority.
  5751. Rothstein also has served as Jefferson County, Alabama's rate consultant and municipal adviser
  5752. for litigation related to the county's bankruptcy and issuance of $1.7 billion in sewer warrants and
  5753. led strategic financial planning for the City of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management. He
  5754. has more than 30 years of experience in water, wastewater and stormwater utility finance and rate-
  5755. making assessments.
  5756. Lawrence Reynolds, M.D., is a pediatrician in Flint who serves as president of the Mott Children's
  5757. Health Center. He received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and
  5758. has been in practice for 36 years. He has served as president of the Genesee County Medical
  5759. Society and the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been honored
  5760. for his humanitarian and advocacy efforts on behalf of children from the Community Foundation of
  5761. Greater Flint.
  5762. Snyder has said reconnecting with the authority is a critical step to resolving water quality issues
  5763. and addressing related health concerns. It will not immediately resolve the city's problem with lead
  5764. service lines or aging infrastructure. It wi ll take time for pipes in .Flint to become coated with the
  5765. phosphate corrosion control.
  5766. To best protect public health, state and local authorities will continue to carry out steps outlined on
  5767. Oct. 2 in a comprehensive action plan, including continued testing, the use of faucet filters and
  5768. providing residents with accurate information about steps to eliminate lead exposure. The Michigan
  5769. Departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services are continuing to provide
  5770. 2
  5771. free water filters, free lead testing through the state laboratory for Flint water customers, and hiring
  5772. additional staff to conduct health exposure monitoring for lead in drinking water.
  5773. ####
  5774. STAY CONNECTED:
  5775. n ~   ~
  5776. Tills email was sent to snyderr11@mlchiqan.gov on behalf of: The Executive Office of the Governor · 111 South Capitol Avenue· Lansing, Ml48909 · 517·
  5777. 335-7858
  5778. 3
  5779. From: Wurfel, Sara (GOV}
  5780. Sent: Tuesday, Novem
  5781. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV}
  5782. Cc: Agen, Jarred (GOV} <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Murray, (GOV} <MurrayDl@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth
  5783. (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis (GOV} <muchmored@michigan.gov>
  5784. Subject: FW: Flint water school testing results
  5785. Importance: High
  5786. Governor-
  5787. Per our conversation at our comms meeting today, here is t he news release and background/highlights of DEQ's schools
  5788. water testing data that was released yesterday.
  5789. DEQ also has video that they're using for some footage of the t est ing with TV stations. Link here if you want to check
  5790. out: https:Uyoutu.be/Amy4cDW7RtA
  5791. Sill no exact word on timing of blood lead level data from DHHS- hopefully by late this week.
  5792. Please let us know if you have any Qs or would like anything else at all.
  5793. Freeman Elementary water testing shows lead
  5794. exposure limited to fixtures
  5795. Experts release water testing results on schools and homes in Flint
  5796. As part of Gov. Rick Snyder's action plan for Flint drinking water, the DEQ today released water testing data
  5797. from nearly 400 homes and businesses in Flint as well as comprehensive sampling results from Freeman
  5798. Elementary School.
  5799. Both sets of data indi cate the problems with lead are localized to individual buildings or even individual faucets,
  5800. rather than system-wide issues.
  5801. "The results from this data underline the need for water testing at all homes, businesses, schools and other
  5802. buil dings in Flint," said George Krisztian, the DEQ's Flint Action Plan Coordinator. "Problems with lead
  5803. exposure appear to be localized to individual service lines or plumbing fixtures, and we want to see all families
  5804. in Flint take advantage of free water testing from the state."
  5805. 1
  5806. Freeman Elementary testing results
  5807. At Freeman Elementary, 31 faucets were tested using a series of four samples each. Twenty-two outlets did
  5808. not show elevated lead exposure, but nine faucets came back with initially high results.
  5809. Those nine outlets involve brass components, indicating the problem involves the fixtures or plumbing
  5810. immediately surrounding the fi xture. When the faucets and fountains were operated for several minutes, lead
  5811. levels fell significantly, in some cases to non-detectable levels.
  5812. Additional testing designed to look deep into the school's plumbing did not suggest larger, systemic issues.
  5813. Freeman Elementary has several options for remedying the issues at these nine faucets and fountains. The
  5814. school can elect not to use those particular fountains, or implement a formalized flushing regimen. The
  5815. sampling results indicate that for all but one tap, a 3- to 4-minute flushing period each morning would
  5816. drastically reduce lead exposure.
  5817. For a permanent solution, the school should opt to replace the faucets and fountains of concern.
  5818. "The safety and health of our students are our primary concern at Flint Community Schools, so we will start
  5819. work as soon as possible to replace faucets, aerators and other related components where high lead levels
  5820. were detected," FCS Superintendent Bilal Tawwab said. "Once those fi xes have been made, the DEQ has
  5821. offered to provide additional testing of the water at Freeman Elementary to ensure the water from every
  5822. sample is safe for our students. Flint Community Schools appreciates the efforts by the DEQ, working with all
  5823. stakeholders to make sure our water continues to be tested and that our students have access to safe, clean
  5824. drinking water. "
  5825. For Freeman Elementary' s complete sampling results and more information about how sampling was
  5826. conducted, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
  5827. The DEQ and the DLARA also have conducted sampling at other Flint schools, and results will soon be
  5828. available on the DEQ's website. Additionally, the state will test every other school in the Flint Community
  5829. Schools district, as well as any school or daycare in the city. Interested schools and daycare centers should
  5830. contact George Krisztian at krisztiang@michigan.gov.
  5831. Homeowner and other customer-requested testing results
  5832. Results from the 381 samples from homes, businesses, schools and other facilities that took advantage of free
  5833. water testing through the state showed similar, localized results. More than 75 percent of the samples
  5834. analyzed demonstrated lead results of 5 parts per billion or less, and more than 91 percent demonstrated lead
  5835. results of 15 parts per billion or less.
  5836. This data suggests that while some homes experience elevated lead level results due to lead service lines or
  5837. in-home plumbing, many other homes experience little to no lead. This can make it difficult for homeowners
  5838. and businesses to predict their lead exposure.
  5839. "Since it's not easy to predict if an individual home's water is at risl< for lead, the best thing all residents can do
  5840. is get their water tested," Krisztian said. "It's a free test that provides valuable information for families."
  5841. Testing is available for free by contacting the Flint Water Plant at 810-787-6537 and pressing 1, or by emailing
  5842. flintwater@cityofflint. com.
  5843. For more information about water samples received through the state's free testing program, visit
  5844. www.micl1igan.gov/flintwater.
  5845. How school sampling was conducted
  5846. To conduct this comprehensive sampling, the DEQ and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory
  5847. Affairs began on Oct. 23 with a thorough plumbing assessment of the school to gain a comprehensive
  5848. 2
  5849. I
  5850. understanding of how water moves through the building and what types of plumbing materials are used. The
  5851. assessment also identified 31 faucets or fountains in the school that provide water for drinking, cooking and/or
  5852. food preparation.
  5853. On Oct. 24, the DEQ and DLARA took four, 125-milliliter samples from each of the 31 identified faucets and
  5854. fountains. The first two samples were taken immediately after turning on the faucet, followed by a 30-second
  5855. flush and then the third sample, followed by a 2-minute flush and then the fourth sample. These samples
  5856. provided information on the i mpact of any lead sources in or around each specific faucet and fountain as well
  5857. as its connecting plumbing.
  5858. On Oct. 31, the DEQ and DLARA took an additional 30 samples, 10 each from three sites in the school. These
  5859. 1-liter samples were taken consecutively, and provided information about the impact of any lead sources deep
  5860. in the bui lding's plumbing.
  5861. 3
  5862. Talking Points on Freeman Announcement
  5863. Q: How do we describe the home tests?
  5864. A: The home tests are a surveillance-level screening tool. It is the same
  5865. test used by the state to comply with the federal Lead and Copper Rule.
  5866. Q: SO, a safe reading doesn't mean my water is safe?
  5867. A: A low reading means there are no fixture-related issues. This screening
  5868. may not catch impacts of a lead service line to the home. If a homeowner
  5869. isn,t sure whether they have a lead service line I the best way for
  5870. homeowners to be absolutely sure is to have a certified plumber inspect
  5871. their home.
  5872. Q: Does home plumbing inspection mean they dig up my yard?
  5873. A: Usually I no. A good plumber can usually assess the service line from the
  5874. point of entry to the home.
  5875. Q: Was the inspection of the schools done with a different kind of
  5876. testing? If so, how so?
  5877. A: Yesl the testing at the schools is a very thorough protocol designed to
  5878. first determine if there are fixture-specific issues I then look deeper into the
  5879. system to identify possible lead plumbing issues.
  5880. Q: What was learned by the testing at Freeman Elementary?
  5881. A: We identified 9 of 31 sites where the plumbing clearly was imparting
  5882. lead into water. Importantly, we did repeated draws of the water at these
  5883. spots over several minutes! and saw lead levels drop dramatically. This
  5884. means the lead is in the fixtures I not in the water lines. It means the fixtures
  5885. need to be addressed in some way- flushing for several minutes wi ll help I
  5886. but replacement of these fixtures offers a more permanent solution. And it
  5887. means the water at Freeman is safe at 22 of the 31 sites inspected, which
  5888. is of some reassurance to school officials.
  5889. Q: The City is now using water from Detroit. When will the water be
  5890. free from lead again?
  5891. A: The water from Detroit is treated with phosphates, which coat the insides
  5892. of lead home service lines and will reduce lead impacts. The City also will .
  5893. be adding additional phosphates to develop this coating more quickly, but it
  5894. could take months for corrosion control to be achieved throughout the
  5895. system. It is important to note that, even in systems where optimal
  5896. corrosion control exists, lead components in home plumbing can still cause
  5897. lead exposure. Removing lead from home plumbing is the only permanent
  5898. solution to address lead in home water supplies. And testing is the best
  5899. way to get an accurate sense of one's exposure. In Flint, blood testing for
  5900. children is free, and surveillance testing of water for any resident also is
  5901. free.
  5902.   E
  5903. ~
  5904. iO.
  5905. Nov. 9,2015
  5906. For More Information:
  5907. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
  5908. D\fews Release
  5909. George Krisztian, 517-284-6719, l<risztiang@michigan.gov
  5910. Freeman Elementary water testing shows lead
  5911. exposure limited to fixtures
  5912. Experts release water testing results on schools and homes in Flint
  5913. As part of Gov. Rick Snyder's action plan for Flint drinking water, the DEQ today released water
  5914. testing data from nearly 400 homes and businesses in Flint as well as comprehensive sampling
  5915. results from Freeman Elementary School.
  5916. Both sets of data indicate the problems with lead are localized to individual buildings or even
  5917. individual faucets, rather than system-wide issues.
  5918. "The results from this data underline the need for water testing at all homes, businesses, schools
  5919. and other buildings in Flint," said George Krisztian, the DEQ's Flint Action Plan Coordinator.
  5920. "Problems with lead exposure appear to be localized to individual service lines or plumbing
  5921. fixtures, and we want to see all families in Flint take advantage of free water testing from the
  5922. state."
  5923. Freeman Elementary testing results
  5924. At Freeman Elementary, 31 faucets were tested using a series of four samples each. Twenty-
  5925. two outlets did not show elevated lead exposure, but nine faucets came back with initially high
  5926. results.
  5927. Those nine outlets involve brass components, indicating the problem involves the fixtures or
  5928. plumbing immediately surrounding the fixture. When the faucets and fountains were operated for
  5929. several minutes, lead levels fell significantly, in some cases to non-detectable levels.
  5930. Additional testing designed to lool< deep into the school's plumbing did not suggest larger,
  5931. systemic issues.
  5932. Freeman Elementary has several options for remedying the issues at these nine faucets and
  5933. fountains. The school can elect not to use those particular fountains, or implement a formalized
  5934. flushing regimen. The sampling results indicate that for all but one tap, a 3- to 4-minute flushing
  5935. period each morning would drastically reduce lead exposure.
  5936. For a permanent solution, the school should opt to replace the faucets and fountains of concern
  5937. "The safety and health of our students are our primary concern at Flint Community Schools,
  5938. so we will start work as soon as possible to replace faucets, aerators and other related
  5939. components where high lead levels were detected," FCS Superintendent Bilal Tawwab said.
  5940. "Once those fixes have been made, the DEQ has offered to provide additional testing of the
  5941. water at Freeman Elementary to ensure the water from every sample is safe for our
  5942. students. Flint Community Schools appreciates the efforts by the DEQ, working with all
  5943. stakeholders to make sure our water continues to be tested and that our students have
  5944. access to safe, clean drinking water."
  5945. For Freeman Elementary's complete sampling results and more information about how sampling
  5946. was conducted, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
  5947. The DEQ and the DLARA also have conducted sampling at other Flint schools, and results will
  5948. soon be available on the DEQ's website. Additionally, the state will test every other school in the
  5949. Flint Community Schools district, as well as any school or daycare in the city. Interested schools
  5950. and daycare centers should contact George Krisztian at l<risztiang@michigan.gov.
  5951. Homeowner and other customer-requested testing results
  5952. Results from the 381 samples from homes, businesses, schools and other facilities that took
  5953. advantage of free water testing through the state showed similar, localized results. More than 75
  5954. percent of the samples analyzed demonstrated lead results of 5 parts per billion or less, and
  5955. more than 91 percent demonstrated lead results of 15 parts per billion or less.
  5956. This data suggests that while some homes experience elevated lead level results due to lead
  5957. service lines or in-home plumbing, many other homes experience little to no lead. This can make
  5958. it difficult for homeowners and businesses to predict their lead exposure.
  5959. "Since it's not easy to predict if an individual home's water is at risk for lead, the best thing all
  5960. residents can do is get their water tested," Krisztian said. "It's a free test that provides valuable
  5961. information for fami lies."
  5962. Testing is avai lable for free by contacting the Flint Water Plant at 810-787-6537 and pressing 1,
  5963. or by emailing flintwater@citvofflint.com.
  5964. For more information about water samples received through the state's free testing program,
  5965. visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
  5966. How school sampling was conducted
  5967. To conduct this comprehensive sampling, the DEQ and Michigan Department of Licensing and
  5968. Regulatory Affairs began on Oct. 23 with a thorough plumbing assessment of the school to gain
  5969. a comprehensive understanding of how water moves through the building and what types of
  5970. plumbing materials are used. The assessment also identified 31 faucets or fountains in the
  5971. school that provide water for drinking, cooking and/or food preparation.
  5972. On Oct. 24, the DEQ and DLARA took four, 125-milliliter samples from each of the 31 identified
  5973. faucets and fountains. The first two samples were taken immediately after turning on the faucet,
  5974. followed by a 30-second flush and then the third sample, followed by a 2-minute flush and then
  5975. the fourth sample. These samples provided information on the impact of any lead sources in or
  5976. around each specific faucet and fountain as well as its connecting plumbing.
  5977. On Oct. 31, the DEQ and DLARA tool< an additional 30 samples, 10 each from three sites in the
  5978. school. These 1-liter samples were taken consecutively, and provided information about the
  5979. impact of any lead sources deep in the building's plumbing.
  5980. From: Murray, David (GOV)
  5981. Sent: Thursday, Novem
  5982. To: Snyder, Rick {GOV)
  5983. (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Cleme (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>; James (GOV)
  5984. <RedfordJ@michigan.gov>; Posthumus, Dick (GOV} <Posthumusd@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  5985. <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Baird, Richard {GOV) <bairdr@michigan.gov>; Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>;
  5986. Wurfel, Sara (GOV) <Wurfels@michigan.gov>; Forstner, Nathaniel (GOV) <forstnernl@michigan.gov>; Scott, Allison
  5987. {GOV) <scotta12@michlgan.gov>; Walsh, John (GOV) <WalshJ@michigan.gov>; Brownfield, Michael {GOV)
  5988. <BrownfieldM2@michigan.gov>; Wisniewski, Wendy {GOV) <wisniewsl<iw@michigan.gov>; Mcbride, Bill (GOV}
  5989. <mcbrideb@michigan.gov>
  5990. Subject: Information about Flint blood lead level testing results release
  5991. Good evening Governor and team,
  5992. We're working with the Department of Health and Human Services on its release of bl ood
  5993. l ead level testing results, with some continuing discussions about messaging and timi ng.
  5994. I've attached the draft press release, an informational graphic and talki ng points.
  5995. This is a chall enging situation to be sure, but I think these results are fairly encouraging
  5996. considering some of t he heated rhetoric on this issue. We are discussing a "people first"
  5997. approach to messagi ng, and perhaps issuing early next week rather than on at 9:30a.m.
  5998. on a Friday so it doesn't look like we are burying news.
  5999. In a nutshell :
  6000. • Blood lead level testing results released today revealed that 24 of 963 adults and
  6001. chil dren tested in Fl int in October had elevated levels, according to the Michigan
  6002. Department of Health and Human Services.
  6003. • MDHHS is working closely with the Genesee County Healt h Department to reach out
  6004. to families testing with higher levels and help them ·reduce their exposure to l ead
  6005. sources.
  6006. • Information was gathered from tests administered citywide to 963 children and adults
  6007. between October 1 and October 30. Eighteen people age 17 or younger had elevated
  6008. blood lead l evels. Six adults over the age 18 were identified with elevated blood lead
  6009. levels.
  6010. 1
  6011. Cl The testing and follow-up work is part of our action pla n.
  6012. Dave Murray
  6013. Deputy Press Secretary I Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder
  6014. MurrayOl@michlgan.gov
  6015. 517-335-6397, office
  6016. Twltter:@michlgandmurray
  6017. 2
  6018. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OIF HEALTH AND HUMAN SIERVUCES
  6019. BLOOD LEAD LE\/IEIL TEST RESULTS FOR fliNT ZIP CODES 48501-48507
  6020. SUMMAIRY AS OF OCTOBER 30, 2015
  6021. Executive Summary
  6022. This report.is generated by MDHHS to
  6023. trade Blood Lead Level test results in
  6024. Flint, Michigan.
  6025. • Counts on this report inclupe both
  6026. capillary and venous blood tests.
  6027. People who have had multiple tests
  6028. are counted only once.
  6029. • Since 10/1/2015, an additional 963
  6030. peopJe have been tested in Flint.
  6031. • Continued testing efforts
  6032. by Genessee County Health
  6033. Department, MDHHS and local
  6034. medical personnel have identified
  6035. 18 children with blood lead levels
  6036. greater than or equal to SiJ.g/dL
  6037. since 10/1/2015.
  6038. • Three percent of the children
  6039. younger than 6 years old tested
  6040. since 10/1/2015 have had blood
  6041. lead levels greater than or equal to
  6042. 5iJ.g/dl.
  6043. • Additional testing is ongoing. Counts
  6044. will vary as new results are added.
  6045. .
  6046. Adults (18 Years or Older) with Blood
  6047. Lead Levels (BLL)
  6048. Total number of adults tested for lead
  6049. 170
  6050. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/2014
  6051. Number of adult Bll test results :?!5J1g/dl
  6052. 22
  6053. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/2014
  6054. Total number of adults tested for lead
  6055. 207
  6056. from 4/15/2014 to 9/30/2015:
  6057. Number of adult Bll test results :?!SJlg/dl
  6058. 13
  6059. from 4/15/2014 to
  6060. ·- ·l ..
  6061. To·t:al number of adults tested for lead
  6062. •' .. ·· .
  6063. since 10/1/2015:
  6064.  
  6065. '
  6066. of adult Bll test results    
  6067. 6
  6068. . ..
  6069. since 10(1/1,0').5;
  6070. . · .
  6071. Number of People Tested for Lead in Flint
  6072. Total number of people tested for lead
  6073. 4657
  6074. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/2014
  6075. Total number of people tested for lead
  6076. 5017
  6077. from 4/15/2014 to 9/30/ 2015
  6078. .. . . .. . . . .
  6079. Total of people (or le.ad
  6080. 963
  6081. fon./20').5:
  6082. . . · ....
  6083. Children Younger than 6 Years Old with
  6084. Blood Lead Levels (BLL) 2:SJ.lg/dl
  6085. Total number of children tested for lead
  6086. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/ 2014
  6087. Number of child Bll test results :?!5iJg/dl
  6088. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/2014
  6089. Total number of children tested for lead
  6090. from 4/15/2014 to 9/30/2015:
  6091. Number of child Bll t est results  
  6092. from 4/15/2014 to 9/30/2015:
  6093. ..
  6094. Total number of children tested for lead
  6095. since
  6096. Number of child BLL teSt results
  6097. since 10/1/2015:
  6098. . . .
  6099. Children 6 to 17 Years Old with
  6100. Blood Lead Levels (Bll)
  6101. Total number of children tested for lead
  6102. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/2014
  6103. Number of child Bl.l test results
  6104. from 1/1/2013 to 4/14/2014
  6105. Total number of children tested for lead
  6106. from 4/15/2014 to 9/30/2015:
  6107. -
  6108. Number of child Bll test results
  6109. from 4/15/2014 to 9/30/2015:
  6110. of chiidren for lead
  6111. since 10/1/2015:
  6112. of child Bll test results
  6113. since 10/1/201,.5:
  6114. ' . " .
  6115. ..
  6116. 3811
  6117. 112
  6118. 4156
  6119. 181
  6120. 385
  6121. 12
  6122. 676
  6123. 5
  6124. 654
  6125. 7
  6126. 289
  6127. ·.
  6128. 6
  6129. RICK SNYDER
  6130. GOVERNOR
  6131. STATE OF MicHIGAN
  6132. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
  6133. LANSlNG
  6134. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  6135. DRAFT
  6136. CONTACT: Jennifer Eisner
  6137. (517) 241-2112
  6138. MDHHS releases October data outlining blood lead levels in Flint
  6139. Results show 24 of963 people tested had elevated levels
  6140. LANSING, Mich. - Blood lead level testing results released today revealed that 24 of 963 adults
  6141. and children tested in Flint in October had elevated levels, according to the Michigan
  6142. Deprutme1it of Health and Human Services.
  6143. MDIDIS is worldng closely with the Genesee County Health Depattment to reach out to families
  6144. testing with higher levels and help them reduce their exposure to lead sources.
  6145. Infmmation was gathered fi:om tests administered citywide to 963 children and adults between
  6146. October 1 and October 3 0. Eighteen people age 17 or younger had elevated blood lead levels. Six
  6147. adults over the age 18 were identified with elevated blood lead levels.
  6148. The repmt is intended to inform residents about blood lead level testing efforts in Flint and
  6149. provide cumulative total numbers.
  6150. "Our goal is to help families reduce their exposure to lead sources," said Dr. Eden Wells, chief
  6151. medical executive with the MDHHS. "We have made progress in testing and identifying those
  6152. with elevated blood lead levels, and the department will continue to work closely with county
  6153. health depmtment to reach these families. We will update these numbers on a regulru· basis and
  6154. remain diligent in our ongoing outreach and education."
  6155. The data in the report include the total number of tests conducted and the total number of
  6156. elevated blood lead levels greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter, and captures both capillary
  6157. and venous blood tests. People who have had multiple tests ru·e COlmted only once. The full
  6158. report is posted online at www.michigan.gov/flintwater and will be updated as more data
  6159. becomes available.
  6160. The testing is part of the state's action plan to address health concems related to Flint's water
  6161. infrastructure.
  6162. Last month, MDI-IRS collaborated with the county health depmtment and local prutners to
  6163. distribute educational resources and informational letter to Flint parents regarding lead testing.
  6164. GCHD nursing staff are conducting direct outreach to families when an elevated blood lead level
  6165. has been detected, serving as an important resources by addressing questions and concerns,
  6166. providing information, 8lld meeting them in their home environment.
  6167. MDHHS continues to provide :fi:ee water filters and replacement cartridges to Flint residents at
  6168.   o m ~ locations including the MDI-IT-IS Flint offices and the Genesee Colmty Community Action
  6169. 201 TOWNSEND STREET • LANSING, MICHI GAN 48913
  6170. www.mlchigan.gov/mdhhs • 517-373-3740
  6171. NICI<LYON
  6172. DIRECTOR
  6173. www.micbigan.gov/fliutwater.
  6174. To help residents properly install water fi lters, and to demonstrate how to replace the original
  6175. when it expires, MDHHS has created an instructional on the MDHHS YouTube chrumel. For
  6176. additional updates on Flint water including updates on blood lead levels and testing results, visit
  6177. www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
  6178. ###
  6179. 201 TOWNSEND STREET • LANSING, MI CHIGAN 4U9 '13
  6180. www.mlchigan.gov/mdhhs • 517-373-3740
  6181. Blood Lead Levels in Flint Tallcing Points
  6182. November 18, 2015
  6183. Blood Lead Level Testing Results
  6184. • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is releasing a report
  6185. blood lead l evels in Flint chi ldren and adults in zip codes 48501-48507.
  6186. • The purpose of the report is to inform residents about blood lead level testing efforts in
  6187. Flint and ·provides cumulative total numbers.
  6188. • It is not intended to be a technical report but a technical description, and further
  6189. analysis ofthe data in the report is underway.
  6190. • The data in the report include the total number of tests conducted and the total number
  6191. of elevated blood lead levels (micrograms per deciliter), broken down by date
  6192. and age ranges.
  6193. o Specifically, the current report breaks down the data by the 16 months prior to
  6194. the switch in water source for Flint (January 1, 2013 through April14, 2014), to
  6195. the 17 months after the switch (April15, 2014 through September 30, 2015), and
  6196. after the lead exposure prevention campaign was initiated by the State in Flint
  6197. October 1, 2015 to October 30, 2015. These numbers will continue to be
  6198. updated.
  6199. o The report also breaks down the number of tests and elevated blood lead levels ·
  6200. by children younger than 6, chi ldren ages   and adults 18 years and older.
  6201. • Lead exposure for children younger than 6 is of particular concern
  6202. because they are more sensitive to the effects of lead and tend to absorb
  6203. more than older children and adults.
  6204. • Data in the report includes both capillary and venous blood tests. People who have had
  6205. multiple tests are counted only once.
  6206. • 963 people were tested in Flint between October 1, 2015, and October 30, 2015, 18
  6207. children 17 years of age or younger had el evated blood lead levels. Six adults over the
  6208. age of 18 were identified with elevated blood lead levels duri ng thi s time as well.
  6209. • With these testing results, MDHHS is working closely with the Genesee County Health
  6210. Department to conduct case management to ensure that these families are receiving
  6211. the follow up care they need- including additional blood testing and a home
  6212. investigation to identify and help reduce t he potential for additional l ead exposure in
  6213. their environment.
  6214. 1
  6215. o In addition to this report, MDHHS has zip code level data avai lable by quarter for 48503-
  6216. 48507 by request. Zip codes 48501-48502 do have some cases, but the numbers are too
  6217. small to release by quarter.
  6218. Water Filters and Replacement Filters
  6219. . e Our first action item is to work closely with our public and private partners to provide
  6220. water filters to Flint residents and MDHHS clients.
  6221. • To meet this priority, the governor identified one mill ion dollars in state funding to
  6222. purchase water filters for Flint residents.
  6223. • The Brita SAFF-100 filters being distri buted by the department and GCCARD do meet the
  6224. NSF/ ANSI 53 standards for drinking water treatment units.
  6225. • The Brita faucet fi ltration system we are distri buting are National Sanitation Foundation
  6226. certified to reduce l ead in drinking water.
  6227. • Free water filters and replacement cartridges are available to current Michigan
  6228. Department of Health and Human Services cl ients and Flint residents who are on the
  6229. Flint water system at four locat ions:
  6230. o Flint residents who are not current MDHHS clients should visit one of two
  6231. Genesee County Community Action Resource Department offices to obtain a
  6232. fi lter.
  6233. • at 2727 Lippincott and 601 North Saginaw in Flint
  6234. o Current MDHHS clients in the city of Flint should visit their local MDHHS office:
  6235. • At 125 E. Union St. or 4809 Clio Road
  6236. • Staff will be onsite at all four locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to
  6237. distribute filters and assist residents who have questions about proper installation.
  6238. • Given the questions and concerns regarding the change in water source in Flint, MDHHS
  6239. authorized the use of emergency services funding to provide water filters for MDHHS
  6240. clients receiving assistance in the city.of Fl int.
  6241. • This funding wi ll support active Family Independence Program (FIPL Food Assistance
  6242. Program (FAPL Chi ld Development and Care (CDC), State Disability Assistance (SDA),
  6243. State Disability Assistance (SDAL or Social Security Insurance (SSI) reci pients so that they
  6244. can obtain filters that are National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified to remove lead
  6245. and ANSI Standard 53.
  6246. • MDHHS has also posted an instructional video on the MDHHS YouTube channel t o hel p
  6247. residents properly install water filters, and to demonstrate how to replace the original
  6248. filter when it expires.
  6249. o https:ljwww.youtube.com/watch?v=plsOvmH 0
  6250. • MDHHS currently serves approximately 25,000 households in Flint.
  6251. 2
  6252. Background Information
  6253. o Initial analysis of MDHHS data found that blood lead l evels of chi ldren in Flint have
  6254. followed an expected seasonal trend; due to small numbers further analysis was
  6255. initiated.
  6256. o While this analysis of blood lead levels in Flint as a whole remains true, after a
  6257. comprehensive and detailed review cjown to the zip code level, we have found that the
  6258. state analysis is consistent with that   by Hurley.
  6259. • Director Lyon is working closely with DEQ and the administration to take active steps to
  6260. reduce all potential lead exposures in Flint and across the state.
  6261. • Our Chief Medical Executive has been in communication with the lead investigator at
  6262. Hurley Children's Hospital, and we continue to work with Hurley, the city of Flint, local
  6263. and state leaders to verify and analyze data trends.
  6264. • Zip code-level data does show that there has been an increase in elevated childhood
  6265. blood lead levels in specifi c communities.
  6266. o This does not conclusively mean that the water source change is the sole cause
  6267. of the increase, but data   show an association.
  6268. o There is an increased proportion of chi ldren with elevated blood levels in several
  6269. zip codes, particularly 03 and 04. These appear to have increased over the last
  6270. 1.5 years.
  6271. o Lead exposure can occur from a number of different sources (such as paint,
  6272. gasoline, solder, and consumer products) and through different pathways (such
  6273. as air, food, water, dust, and soil).
  6274. o Although there are several exposure sources, lead-based paint is sti ll the mo.st
  6275. widespread and dangerous high-dose source of lead exposure for young children
  6276. in the US and Michigan.
  6277. • We reviewed MDHHS statewide data using same methodology used by Hurl ey,
  6278. looking at our numbers by zip code and age ranges, and filtering out non-Flint children.
  6279. • · Routine surveillance of blood lead levels does not analyze data down to the zip code
  6280. level. Detailed analysis like this occurs when there is reason to focus in on precise
  6281. locations or populations.
  6282. o MDHHS is working closely with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality,
  6283. Hurley Children's Hospital, the Genesee County Health Department, and community
  6284. organizations to initiate f urther action steps.
  6285. o We understand that cost may be a barrier to following the recommendations for
  6286. drinking water, which is why NSF-certified filters are being distributed to residents on
  6287. the Flint water system free of charge.
  6288. 3
  6289. I
  6290. I
  6291. I
  6292. r
  6293. I
  6294. I
  6295. I
  6296. I
  6297. o MDHHS is recommending that residents follow the Public Health Advisory issued by the
  6298. Genesee County Health Department, as well as t ake furt her steps to reduce exposures
  6299. t o all forms of lead in and around their homes.
  6300. MDHHS Stats and Facts
  6301. • 'High Risk' Zip codes (48503 and 48504)
  6302. o Blood lead level rates among children under six years of age in the high ri sk zip
  6303. codes (48503, 48504) were 2.7 t imes higher t han the rest of Genesee County
  6304. before the switch to Flint River Water.
  6305. o After the switch to Flint River Water, rates in the high risk Zip codes were 3.2
  6306. times that of the rest of Genesee County.
  6307. • Other Zip codes in Flint
  6308. o Rates of elevated blood lead level s among chi ldren under six years of age in
  6309. other parts of t he city of Flint were 2 times that ofthe rest of Genesee County
  6310. before the switch to Flint River Water.
  6311. o The magnitude of the elevated rate remained roughly the same duri ng the
  6312. period after t he water source switch.
  6313. • Lead abatement through MDHHS was federally funded up until FY14 when Michigan
  6314. began providing additional funds to abate homes.
  6315. • In FY14, $1.25M General Fund was added. In FY15, General Fund was bumped up to
  6316. $1.75M and FY16,.General Fund remains at $1.75M.
  6317. Reducing and Removing Lead Exposure
  6318. • Use only cold f iltered wat er from the tap for drinking, cooking, and making baby
  6319. f ormula. Hot water is more likely to contain higher levels of lead. The lead in household
  6320. water usually comes from the service line that connects your-house to the water main
  6321. or the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply.
  6322. • In housing built before 1978, it can be assumed that the paint has lead unless tests show
  6323. otherwise.
  6324. • Make sure your child does not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces
  6325. painted with lead-based paint.
  6326. • Chi ldren and pregnant women should not be present in housing built before 1978 that is
  6327. undergoing renovation. They should not participate in activities that disturb old paint or
  6328. in cleaning up paint debris after work is compl et ed.
  6329. • Create barriers between living/play areas and lead sources. Until envi ronmental clean-
  6330. up is completed, you should clean and isolate all sources of lead.
  6331. 4
  6332. o Close and lock doors to keep chi ldren away from chipping or peeling paint on
  6333. walls. You can also apply temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape,
  6334. to cover holes in walls or to block children's access to other sources of lead.
  6335. o Regularly wash children's hands and toys. Hands and toys can become contaminated
  6336. from household dust or exterior soi l. Both can be lead sources.
  6337. o Regularly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components. Because household dust
  6338. is a major source of lead, you should wet-mop floors and wet-wipe horizontal surfaces
  6339. every 2-3 weeks.
  6340. o Windowsills and wells can contain high levels of leaded dust. They should be
  6341. kept clean. If feasible, windows should be kept shut to prevent abrasion of
  6342. painted surfaces or opened from the top sash.
  6343. • Take off shoes when entering the house to prevent bringing lead-contaminated soil in
  6344. from outside. '
  6345. • Prevent children from playing in bare soil; if possibl e, provide them with sandboxes.
  6346. Plant grass on areas of bare soi l or cover the soil with grass seed, mulch, or wood chips,
  6347. if possible.
  6348. o Until the bare soil is covered, move play areas away from bare soil.and away
  6349. from the sides ofthe house. If you have a sandbox, cover the box when not in
  6350. use to prevent cats from using it as a litter box. That will help protect children
  6351. from exposure to animal waste.
  6352. • Avoid using makeup, containers, cookware, or tableware to store or cook foods or
  6353. liquids that are not shown to be lead-free.
  6354. • Remove recalled toys and toy jewelry immediately from children.
  6355. • Shower and change clothes after finishing a task that involves working with lead-based
  6356. products such as stained glass, making bullets, or using a firing range.
  6357. If possible, shower and change before returning home if your job requires you to work with or
  6358. around lead. These jobs can include painting, plumbing, and some factory work.
  6359. WIC Children
  6360. • There are 855 infants participating in WIC in Flint.
  6361. • We are working with partners at the United Way to ensure that WIC families have
  6362. access to water filters and bottl ed water.
  6363. • In homes with infants on WIC, if the household has documentation from an official
  6364. source documenting unsanitary water supply issues, that family may be eligible to
  6365. receive ready-to-feed formula. Families should contact WIC to see if they are eligible.
  6366. • Each household wil l be considered on an individual basis.
  6367. o WI C cannot cover bottl ed water.
  6368. 5
  6369. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  6370. From:
  6371. Sent:
  6372. To:
  6373. Cc:
  6374. Subject:
  6375. Attachments:
  6376. Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  6377. Tuesday, November 17, 2015 5:25 PM
  6378. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  6379. Scott, Allison (GOV)
  6380. FW: Privileged Attorney-Client Communication -Outline of Flint Drinking Water Issues
  6381. DEQ's Outline of Flint Drinking Water Issues for Flint Water Task Force -Attorney Client
  6382. Privilege Work Product -ll-16-2015.pdf
  6383. I thought you should see this. It's pretty interesting. Whether anyone accepts it as gospel is problematic, but it's good
  6384. on background.
  6385. From: Anderson, Madhu (DEQ)
  6386. Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 11:20 AM
  6387. To: Ken Sikkema (ksikkema@pscinc.com) <ksikkema@pscinc.com>
  6388. Cc: Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Baird, Richard (GOV) <bairdr@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  6389. <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Weber, Travis (GOV) <WeberT7@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  6390. <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Murray, David (GOV) <MurrayDl@michigan.gov>; Wurfel, Sara (GOV)
  6391. <Wurfels@michigan.gov>; Lyon, Nick (DHHS) <LyonN2@michigan.gov>
  6392. Subject: Privileged Attorney-Client Communication- Outline of Flint Drinking Water Issues
  6393. Ken -Attached is the outline of the Flint Drinking Water issue (in a question and answer format) we have prepared for you to share
  6394. with your colleagues on the Governor's Flint Water Task Force. Please let me know if we can provide any other material in preparation
  6395. for the meeting tomorrow.
  6396. Madhu R. Anderson
  6397. Deputy Director, Economic and Strategic Initiatives
  6398. if 517 284 67021517 290 9653
  6399. L<J andersonm30@michigan.gov
  6400. 1
  6401. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication
  6402. City of Flint Drinking Water
  6403. Outline prepared by the
  6404. November 16, 2015
  6405. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the
  6406. Flint Water Task Force
  6407. I. INTRODUCTION
  6408. This document is intended to provide an overview of Michigan's implementation of
  6409. the Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399, as amended (Act 399), with respect to
  6410. events in the city of Flint (City), Michigan.
  6411. II. BACKGROUND
  6412. 1. How has Flint historically obtained its drinking water?
  6413. The water system in the City was organized and built under private ownership in
  6414. 1883 as the Flint Water Works Company to pump raw water from the Flint River to
  6415. their consumers. In 1903, the system was converted to a municipally-owned
  6416. corporation which supplied drinking water to the City. In 1967, the City became a
  6417. customer of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) system.
  6418. After the switch to DWSD, the City operated its water treatment plant as a standby
  6419. plant for purposes of reliability in the event of an emergency, such as an interruption
  6420. in service of the single pipeline from DWSD. In the last ten years, the water
  6421. treatment plant was used as an emergency backup during two weeks in 2009:
  6422. June 18 through June 20 and September 10 through September 13.
  6423. As a backup emergency water treatment plant, the City was required to operate the
  6424. water treatment plant quarterly to demonstrate the capability to produce drinking
  6425. water in accordance with Act 399 and to keep mechanical equipment (such as
  6426. valves, rubber seals, etc.) in good working order. Each quarter, the water treatment
  6427. plant was test run and samples were taken of both raw water and finished water
  6428. (post-filters). Since the water treatment plant was upgraded in the early 2000s,
  6429. monitoring showed that the water treatment plant was performing as designed.
  6430. Contractual obligations with DWSD did not allow treated water to be put into the
  6431. City's distribution system during these test runs. Treated water was discharged to
  6432. the Flint River in accordance with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
  6433. (NPDES) Permit. The test runs were for demonstration purposes, to keep the water
  6434. treatment plant operational, and staff familiar with operation in the event it was
  6435. needed in an emergency.
  6436. 2. What State and Federal laws or rules exist to ensure safe drinking water is
  6437. provided to City residents?
  6438. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (federal SDWA) is the primary law that ensures
  6439. the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under the federal SDWA, the United States
  6440. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) sets standards for drinking water quality
  6441. and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those
  6442. standards.
  6443. 1
  6444. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6445. The federal SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 197 4 to protect public
  6446. health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The law was amended
  6447. in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its
  6448. sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. (The federal
  6449. SDWA does not regulate private wells which serve fewer than 25 individuals.)
  6450. Originally, the federal SDWA focused primarily on treatment as the means of
  6451. providing safe drinking water at the tap. The 1996 amendments greatly enhanced
  6452. the existing law by recognizing source water protection, operator training, funding for
  6453. water system improvements, and public information as important components of safe
  6454. drinking water. This approach ensures the quality of drinking water by protecting it
  6455. from source to tap.
  6456. The most direct oversight of water systems is conducted by state drinking water
  6457. programs. States can apply to the USEPA for "primacy," -the authority to implement
  6458. the federal SDWA within their jurisdictions - if they will adopt standards at least as
  6459. stringent as the US EPA's and enforce those standards. Michigan adopted the Safe
  6460. Drinking Water Act in 1976 through Act 399 and has maintained primacy for the
  6461. program since that time.
  6462. 3. What is the USEPA's role as a regulatory agency in implementing the SDWA?
  6463. Federal and state governments share responsibility for administering drinking water
  6464. programs. Under the federal SDWA, the USEPA is given the responsibility for
  6465. developing national standards and regulations that apply to the nation's public
  6466. drinking water systems and enforcing those standards, by working with states.
  6467. Michigan's drinking water program is evaluated annually by the US EPA for
  6468. compliance with the federal SDWA. Based upon these evaluations, the USEPA
  6469. continues to find Michigan's drinking water program to be compliant with the federal
  6470. SDWA.
  6471. 4. What is the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ} role as a
  6472. regulatory agency in implementing the SDWA?
  6473. The federal SDWA permits states to accept oversight of the drinking water program
  6474. under an agreement with the USEPA giving states primary enforcement
  6475. responsibilities (or primacy). In addition to this delegation of federal authority to the
  6476. states, states also have the power to create additional regulations and programs
  6477. governing drinking water suppliers through their own legislative and regulatory
  6478. processes. Michigan has had regulatory authority of public water supplies since
  6479. 1913 (Waterworks and Sewerage Systems, 1913 PA 98).
  6480. The DEQ has been granted primary enforcement authority in Michigan for the federal
  6481. SDWA under the authority of Act 399. As such, the DEQ, Office of Drinking Water
  6482. and Municipal Assistance, has regulatory oversight for all public water supplies,
  6483. including approximately 1,400 community water supplies and 10,000 noncommunity
  6484. water supplies. A community water supply provides year-round service to 15 or
  6485. more living units (homes, apartments, dorm rooms, etc.) or 25 or more residents. A
  6486. noncommunity water supply has 15 or more service connections or serves 25 or
  6487. more individuals on an average daily basis for not less than 60 days per year.
  6488. 2
  6489. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6490. The DEQ engages in a variety of activities to help water systems remain in, or return
  6491. to, compliance. These activities include: conducting surveillance visits (inspections)
  6492. at water systems and reviewing facilities, equipment, and operations; requiring the
  6493. submission of plans and specifications for waterworks system improvements and
  6494. issuing construction permits; providing for the training, examination, certification and
  6495. regulation of persons operating water supplies; helping systems incorporate
  6496. preventive measures; and since 1996, providing financial assistance for system
  6497. improvements.
  6498. 5. What is the City's role in implementing the federal SDWA and Act 399?
  6499. State and federal programs develop regulations and perform oversight and
  6500. compliance activities, but do not treat or deliver water to customers. At the local
  6501. level, public and private water utilities collect, treat, and deliver drinking water to
  6502. consumers in compliance with state and federal regulations.
  6503. The federal SDWA and Act 399 set up multiple barriers against contamination.
  6504. These barriers include: source water protection, multiple treatment components,
  6505. distribution system integrity, proper operations oversight, and public information. As
  6506. the owner of a public water system, the City is responsible for knowing and following
  6507. all requirements under Act 399, such as ensuring proper design, construction,
  6508. operations and maintenance, so that contaminants in tap water do not exceed the
  6509. standards established by law. The City treats the water, and must test its water
  6510. routinely for specified contaminants and report the results to the DEQ. If a water
  6511. system is not meeting these standards, it is the water supplier's responsibility to
  6512. notify its customers.
  6513. The federal SDWA and Act 399 recognize that customers have the right to know
  6514. what is in their drinking water and where it comes from. The City, like all water
  6515. suppliers, must notify consumers when there is a problem with water quality.
  6516. The City submits samples of its water for laboratory testing (monitoring) to verify the
  6517. water it provides to residents meets all federal and state standards. How often and
  6518. where samples are taken varies from system to system and from contaminant to
  6519. contaminant. The DEQ provides an annual monitoring schedule to the City setting
  6520. forth these requirements.
  6521. In addition, the City is required to employ properly certified water operators that are
  6522. trained and experienced to operate the treatment and distribution systems
  6523. associated with the City's water system.
  6524. 6. What approvals were needed from the DEQ in order for the City to begin using
  6525. its water treatment plant full time?
  6526. The City had long ago been issued construction permits for raw water pumps to
  6527. withdraw water from the Flint River and the City was grandfathered under the water
  6528. withdrawal program (Part 327, Great Lakes Preservation, of the Natural Resources
  6529. and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended), as were all existing
  6530. community public water systems at that time. There were no additional DEQ
  6531. 3
  6532. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6533. permissions or authorizations required under Act 399 because the City already had
  6534. approval to use the water treatment plant.
  6535. Under Act 399, there are no licenses or permits required to operate public water
  6536. systems. The City did apply for and obtained two construction permits prior to the
  6537. water treatment plant changing from an emergency backup plant to full-time
  6538. operation. These permits were for new chemical feed equipment, changes to the
  6539. electrical service, etc.
  6540. Ill. THE FLINT RIVER- IS IT A SAFE SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER?
  6541. Seventy-five percent of Michigan's population served by a public water supply
  6542. receive their drinking water from surface water sources, the majority of which is
  6543. withdrawn from the Great Lakes. However, several public water supplies in Michigan
  6544. utilize water from inland rivers. All surface water sources require significant
  6545. treatment in order to be safe for consumption.
  6546. While all surface water sources must receive a high level of treatment, inland river
  6547. sources present a greater challenge than water withdrawn from one of the Great
  6548. Lakes because of rapidly changing water quality conditions. Under most
  6549. circumstances, rivers are prone to greater fluctuations in temperature, have higher
  6550. amounts of organic material, greater turbidity (suspended solids), and are more
  6551. vulnerable to microbiological and viral contamination than Lakes Huron, Erie,
  6552. Michigan or Superior. While the water chemistry in the Flint River differs from that in
  6553. Lake Huron, it can still be treated in accordance with the federal SDWA and Act 399.
  6554. The waterworks industry has the technology to treat wide ranging source waters to
  6555. provide potable and palatable drinking water, including direct reuse of treated
  6556. wastewater. Regardless of source water quality, all public water systems must
  6557. comply with the same drinking water standards in the finished water.
  6558. It is not the source water that reacts with the homeowners plumbing in the
  6559. distribution system, but rather the finished water quality that is important. Treated
  6560. water leaving the City's water treatment plant does not contain lead. In addition, the
  6561. treatment process employed by the City includes lime softening to reduce the
  6562. hardness in the river water. The City includes lime softening and pH adjustment
  6563. primarily to improve aesthetic water quality associated with hardness. Lime
  6564. softening is not a process that water supply professionals would expect to increase
  6565. corrosivity of water. The City, however, does practice recarbonation to readjust pH
  6566. at the end of the softening process.
  6567. pH levels of finished water leaving the City's water treatment plant averaged 7.7.
  6568. Expanded water monitoring conducted quarterly at 25 sample sites located
  6569. throughout the distribution system showed the following:
  6570. July- September 2014
  6571. October- December 2014
  6572. January- March 2015
  6573. April -June 2015
  6574. average pH= 7.71
  6575. average pH = 7.88
  6576. average pH= 7.81
  6577. average pH= 7.63
  6578. 4
  6579. range: 7.56- 7.86
  6580. range: 7.62 - 8.10
  6581. range: 7.60- 7.99
  6582. range: 7.48- 7.80
  6583. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6584. The data below was obtained at ten of the sampling locations throughout the City's
  6585. distribution system, while they were still purchasing water from DWSD before the
  6586. City switched to the Flint River as a source:
  6587. January- March 2014 (DWSD) average pH= 7.47
  6588. April2014 (DWSD) average pH= 7.49
  6589. range: 7.40- 7.54
  6590. range: 7.42- 7.59
  6591. Note that the pH of the treated water produced while the City was using the Flint
  6592. River did not differ significantly from pH values seen in the distribution system during
  6593. the time the City purchased water from DWSD. Thus, pH monitoring provided no
  6594. indication of a change in water corrosivity.
  6595. IV. E. COLI AND TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA VIOLATIONS
  6596. 1. What caused the E. coli and total coliform bacteria violations experienced by
  6597. the City in August and September 2014?
  6598. A number of factors, primarily related to distribution system operation and
  6599. maintenance, likely contributed to the Boil Water Advisories in the City during August
  6600. and September 2014 triggered by exceedances of bacteria standards in limited
  6601. areas of the distribution system. In addition, the coliform detections were confined to
  6602. less than 20 percent of the water system. Had the detections been the result of a
  6603. failure in treatment, detections would have been expected throughout the City rather
  6604. than in such a limited geographic area.
  6605. Instead, the violations seem to have been caused by other factors such as aging
  6606. infrastructure. The City's water distribution system has suffered from a lack of
  6607. infrastructure investment and asset management. Most of the City's over 550 miles
  6608. of water mains are now over 75 years old, and constructed of unlined cast iron
  6609. piping. This cast iron pipe is subject to tuberculation, which thins and weakens the
  6610. pipe walls in some areas and causes a buildup of sediment and debris on the pipe
  6611. walls in other areas. Tuberculation can lead to water quality issues as well as
  6612. reduced flows and pressures. Tuberculation also encourages the development of
  6613. biofilms. Biofilrn growth may occur more frequently in areas where little or no
  6614. disinfectant is maintained.
  6615. The City has also experienced decades of a declining customer base and water use,
  6616. with vacant homes, commercial businesses, and industrial property. Declining water
  6617. use leads to excess residence time (water age) within the City's distribution pipes
  6618. and water storage facilities, accelerating tuberculation, biofilm growth, and reductions
  6619. of disinfectant concentration in the distribution system. While the City has recently
  6620. seen an infusion of funding for blight removal, contractors using fire hydrants to
  6621. complete this work have been known to cause hydraulic disturbances that dislodge
  6622. and suspend settled debris, which may contribute to the bacterial contamination.
  6623. These hydraulic disturbances were also believed to be a source of the aesthetic
  6624. water quality complaints both the City and the DEQ were receiving.
  6625. The winter of 2013-2014 was also one of the coldest experienced by the water
  6626. system. The City, which historically has unaccounted water losses of over
  6627. 30 percent, saw even greater losses since February 2014 due to an increase in cold
  6628. weather-related water main breaks and leaks (City personnel reported 400 water
  6629. 5
  6630. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6631. main breaks in calendar year 2014, with greater than 50 percent in the winter
  6632. quarter). The City has also been lacking a formal maintenance program for its more
  6633. than 7,250 valves, which are critical in limiting the areas impacted during water main
  6634. repairs. As an example, two valves on the transmission line used to supply the area
  6635. of the 2014 Boil Water Advisories were found to be closed during the City's
  6636. investigation of possible sources, causing much longer residence times, reduced
  6637. disinfectant concentrations, and reduced pressures- all potential avenues for
  6638. contamination to enter a distribution system.
  6639. The Boil Water Advisories also occurred during the warmest and relatively wet
  6640. periods of August and September 2014. Warm weather conditions are not only more
  6641. conducive to bacterial growth but also degrade disinfectant concentrations more
  6642. quickly. As already explained, longer residence times, biofilms, and tuberculation
  6643. contribute to lowered disinfectant concentrations. Warm, wet weather conditions
  6644. also allow water contaminated with bacteria to accumulate or pond around piping
  6645. that leaks and breaks.
  6646. During the summer of 2014, the City was actively repairing the distribution system
  6647. (City personnel reported 29 water main breaks in June through August 2014). After
  6648. the switch to the Flint River, it was discovered that there were many broken or closed
  6649. valves in the distribution system (City personnel reported 120 broken valves and
  6650. 239 valves in an improper position). As the City began correcting these problems,
  6651. they did detect the presence of coliform organisms in the distribution system in
  6652. testing conducted as a result of the repairs. This sporadic detection is not an
  6653. unusual occurrence. Many communities have experienced similar issues when
  6654. significant repairs are made in the system and/or they suffer water main breaks and
  6655. localized pressure losses.
  6656. 2. How were the violations detected? What was the DEQ's response?
  6657. Federal SDWA regulations regarding monitoring and standards for bacteria in water
  6658. distribution systems are incorporated into Act 399. There are a variety of bacteria,
  6659. parasites, and viruses which can potentially cause health problems if humans ingest
  6660. them in drinking water. Testing water for each of these potential pathogens would be
  6661. difficult and expensive. Instead, community water systems are required to test
  6662. monthly for total coliform and E. coli. Total coliform bacteria, while not pathogenic,
  6663. often originate from the same sources as many pathogens. Therefore, the presence
  6664. of total coliform in drinking water indicates there may be a pathway for pathogens or
  6665. other contaminants to enter the system. The absence of total coliforms in the
  6666. distribution system indicates a minimal likelihood that pathogens are present. E. coli
  6667. is itself a pathogen and its detection is considered direct evidence of a health risk.
  6668. The Boil Water Advisories which occurred in the City were associated with bacteria
  6669. monitoring detections and violations of bacteria standards. These advisories were
  6670. issued by the City after consultation with the DEQ.
  6671. Upon receiving information indicating total coliform and E. coli bacteria had been
  6672. detected, the DEQ advised the City to issue a Boil Water Advisory from August 15
  6673. through 20, 2014, for the affected portion of the City. Another Boil Water Advisory
  6674. was issued from September 5 through 9, 2014, due to localized detections of total
  6675. 6
  6676. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 201S
  6677. coliform bacteria in the same and adjacent portions of the City. The advisories
  6678. covered an area of less than 20 percent of the water department's service area.
  6679. Once a Boil Water Advisory has been issued, time is needed to investigate potential
  6680. causes and implement corrective measures. The larger the water system, the more
  6681. time this may take. Once corrective measures have been taken, samples must be
  6682. collected and analyzed to confirm that bacteria are no longer present. Under
  6683. approved analytical methods used by the City, samples must be incubated for 24
  6684. hours before results can be obtained. In situations where the bacterial contamination
  6685. has been confirmed, two consecutive rounds of safe samples collected at least 24
  6686. hours apart are normally obtained before canceling a Boil Water Advisory. Adding
  6687. each of these steps together, a normal response period to rescind a Boil Water
  6688. Advisory under these circumstances would be expected to take 3 to 4 days.
  6689. V. TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES (TTHM) VIOLATIONS
  6690. 1. What caused the TTHM violations experienced by the City beginning in late
  6691. summer 2014?
  6692. Disinfectants are an essential element of drinking water treatment because of the
  6693. barrier they provide against waterborne disease-causing microorganisms. However,
  6694. disinfection byproducts form when disinfectants used to treat drinking water react
  6695. with naturally occurring organic materials in the water (e.g., decomposing plant
  6696. material). The formation of disinfection byproducts continues to occur as water
  6697. travels throughout water distribution systems.
  6698. A major challenge for water suppliers is how to provide protection from pathogens
  6699. while simultaneously minimizing health risks to the population from disinfection
  6700. byproducts. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM- chloroform, bromoform,
  6701. bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane) and halogenated acetic acids
  6702. (HAAS- monochloro-, dichloro-, trichloro-, monobromo-, dibromo-) are widely
  6703. occurring classes of disinfection byproducts. The amount of TTHM and HAAS in
  6704. drinking water can change depending on the season, water temperature, amount of
  6705. chlorine added, the amount of plant material in the water, and a variety of other
  6706. factors. All community water systems that chemically disinfect or purchase water
  6707. that has been chemically disinfected are required to monitor for disinfection
  6708. byproducts.
  6709. The Flint River has higher levels of organic material than water in the Great Lakes
  6710. and as a result, the water produced by the City developed higher disinfection
  6711. byproducts than the water purchased from DWSD. Because the water treatment
  6712. plant was previously operating intermittently, it was not possible to predict
  6713. disinfection byproduct levels at distribution system compliance points until the City
  6714. began relying on its water treatment plant continuously.
  6715. As mentioned previously, the City became aware that there were numerous broken
  6716. valves and closed valves that should have been open in the distribution system. At
  6717. that time, the City also began a mapping effort to identify "water age" in the
  6718. distribution system. The longer the residence time or "water age" the greater the
  6719. opportunity for the formation of disinfection byproducts.
  6720. 7
  6721. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6722. 2. How were the violations detected? What was the DEQ's response?
  6723. Disinfection byproducts are monitored at eight sites throughout the distribution
  6724. system. A locational running annual average is calculated for each individual site.
  6725. Because TTHM and HAA5 maximum contaminant levels are calculated based on a
  6726. running annual average at specific distribution system locations, the actual violation
  6727. of the standard did not occur until the fall of 2014. However, because it was
  6728. apparent in the summer of 2014 that the standard would eventually be exceeded; the
  6729. DEQ asked the City to proactively implement measures to address the problem
  6730. before the violation required them to do so.
  6731. As a result of maintenance efforts undertaken by the City to repair valves and correct
  6732. improperly closed valves, the City was able to improve water flow in the distribution
  6733. system and thereby reduce residence time or "water age" in the system. Operational
  6734. changes made to reduce the amount of storage in the system also helped reduce
  6735. residence time which contributed to a reduction in disinfection byproduct formation.
  6736. In addition to operational changes to minimize residence time in the distribution
  6737. system, the City added granular activated carbon to its filters in July 2015. Levels of
  6738. TTHMs and HAA5s were reduced and the City returned to compliance on
  6739. September 1, 2015.
  6740. VI. THE TASTE, ODOR, AND COLOR COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY FLINT
  6741. 1. What caused the taste, odor, and color complaints received by the City from
  6742. residents?
  6743. Taste, odor, and color issues are very personalized. While water leaving the water
  6744. treatment plant did not have any unusual taste, odor or color; during the summer
  6745. after the switch to the Flint River, customer complaints increased. Construction in
  6746. the distribution system, hydrant flushing, and changes in flow characteristics are all
  6747. known causes of disturbances within the distribution system that can cause an
  6748. increase in taste, odor, and color complaints. Aesthetics, such as taste, odor, and
  6749. color, while a concern, by themselves are not a threat to public health.
  6750. 2. What was the DEQ's response?
  6751. The DEQ consulted with the City regarding these complaints. The City indicated that
  6752. they were offering to investigate such complaints for anyone that had issues; but City
  6753. personnel informed the DEQ that they were not able to recreate these situations in
  6754. the field. In addition, as a result of the repair work that was underway and the
  6755. increased flushing to reduce water age in the system to help control TTHMs, it was
  6756. anticipated that there would be short-term disturbances in the system that would
  6757. cause color and odor complaints. All water supplies are advised to provide notice to
  6758. residents prior to undertaking a flushing program because flushing (even routine
  6759. flushing) often causes temporary problems as described. Based on information from
  6760. City personnel, it appeared that the complaints were related to such operational
  6761. activities occurring in the distribution system.
  6762. 8
  6763. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6764. VII. LEAD ISSUES IN THE FLINT DRINKING WATER
  6765. 1. What causes lead in drinking water?
  6766. Lead is rarely found in source water. Lead enters tap water through corrosion of
  6767. plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead fixtures
  6768. and solder. Older homes built prior to World War II are more likely to contain lead
  6769. pipes. The most common problem with newer construction is with brass or chrome-
  6770. plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the
  6771. water, especially hot water. The amount of lead in tap water also depends on the
  6772. types and amounts of minerals in the water, how long the water stays in the pipes,
  6773. the arnount of wear in the pipes, the pH of the water, and its temperature.
  6774. 2. What is the Lead and Copper Rule?
  6775. On June 7, 1991, the USEPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in
  6776. drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (also referred
  6777. to as the LCR). The treatment technique for the rule requires systems to monitor
  6778. drinking water at customer taps. If the 90th percentile for lead exceeds an action
  6779. level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) or the 90th percentile for copper exceeds an action
  6780. level of 1.3 parts per million (ppm), the system must undertake a number of
  6781. additional actions to control corrosion. If the action level for lead is exceeded, the
  6782. water supply must also inform the public about steps they should take to protect their
  6783. health and the water supply may have to replace lead service lines under their
  6784. control.
  6785. 3. What is the lead action level?
  6786. For most contaminants, the USEPA sets an enforceable regulation called a
  6787. maximum contaminant level based on the maximum contaminant level goal.
  6788. Maximum contaminant levels are set as close to the maximum contaminant level
  6789. goals as possible, considering cost, benefits, and the ability of public water systems
  6790. to detect and remove contaminants at the water treatment plant using suitable
  6791. treatment technologies. Because lead contamination of drinking water often results
  6792. from corrosion of the plumbing materials belonging to water system customers, the
  6793. USEPA established a treatment technique rather than a maximum contaminant level
  6794. for lead. A treatment technique is an enforceable procedure or level of technological
  6795. performance which water systems must follow to control a contaminant. Although
  6796. the maximum contaminant level goal for lead is zero, based upon the above factors,
  6797. the US EPA has established the action level for lead at 15 ppb.
  6798. The treatment technique regulation for lead requires water systems that produce
  6799. drinking water to control the corrosivity of the water. The regulation also requires
  6800. systems to collect customer tap samples from sites served by the system that are
  6801. more likely to have plumbing materials containing lead. If the 90th percentile action
  6802. level for lead is exceeded, then water systems are required to take additional actions
  6803. including:
  6804. • Optimizing corrosion control treatment (for water systems serving greater than
  6805. 50,000 people that have not fully optimized corrosion control).
  6806. 9
  6807. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6808. • Educating the public about lead in drinking water and actions consumers can
  6809. take to reduce their exposure to lead.
  6810. • Replacing the portions of lead service lines (lines that connect distribution
  6811. mains to customers) under the water system's control.
  6812. 4. Did DWSD have optimized corrosion control treatment?
  6813. After the LCR passed in 1991, DWSD and all of its consecutive customer systems
  6814. conducted two rounds of monitoring for lead and copper. Copper levels were well
  6815. below action level limits, but lead levels exceeded the action level of 15 ppb for
  6816. DWSD and many of its customer communities. As a result, DWSD installed
  6817. corrosion control treatment. DWSD performed a corrosion control study and
  6818. concluded that they could reduce the corrosivity of the water by the addition of an
  6819. orthophosphate, a corrosion inhibitor.
  6820. 5. Did the DEQ require the City to have corrosion control in place when it
  6821. switched to the Flint River as its source of drinking water?
  6822. No. There are two ways under the LCR to deem a water supply as providing
  6823. "optimal corrosion control" -either by sampling and determining through a
  6824. calculation that the supply is "optimal" or by installing treatment if it is needed. The
  6825. DEQ requested that the City perform two 6-month rounds of monitoring to
  6826. demonstrate if the City was practicing optimal corrosion control treatment. According
  6827. to state regulations [R325.1 0604f(2}(b)(iii)], a system can demonstrate optimized
  6828. corrosion controls by sampling in two, consecutive 6-month monitoring periods and
  6829. comparing the results of this monitoring to the lead level in the source. Optimal
  6830. corrosion control under this scenario would be defined as having the 9oth percentile
  6831. in each of these monitoring periods lower than the sum of the lead in the source and
  6832. the practical quantification limit for lead of 5 ppb. Since the source water has 0 ppb
  6833. lead, the City would have been deemed optimal if its 90th percentile of lead was
  6834. 5 ppb or less in these two consecutive periods. However, once a system has
  6835. installed treatment, it would also be considered optimized regardless of the 90th
  6836. percentile level achieved, as long as it does not exceed the action level of 15 ppb.
  6837. In this case, the City had been purchasing water from DWSD that was treated for
  6838. corrosion control. It was the DWSD water system that was considered as having
  6839. optimized corrosion control at that point. Since the City water system had not been
  6840. the supplier of water before, the DEQ did not require the City to maintain corrosion
  6841. control for which it was not responsible [R325.10604f(2}(b)]. It could not "maintain"
  6842. operations undertaken elsewhere by a different entity for a different source of water.
  6843. The DEQ's instructions to the City were consistent with past practices afforded to all
  6844. other large water systems. At the beginning of the LCR, all large systems were
  6845. initially granted the option to demonstrate optimal corrosion control treatment through
  6846. full-scale monitoring under the applicable rules. For these reasons, two 6-month
  6847. rounds of monitoring, as required by the LCR, were the required means to determine
  6848. whether or not optimal corrosion control was being achieved.
  6849. 6. How does the DEQ calculate the 90th percentile?
  6850. To determine the 90th percentile of a list of lead or copper results, the procedure
  6851. below is followed:
  6852. 10
  6853. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication
  6854. Step 1: Place lead or copper results in ascending order
  6855. Step 2: Assign each sample a number, 1 for lowest value
  6856. November 16, 2015
  6857. Step 3: Multiply the total number of samples by 0.9- this yields the 90th percentile
  6858. sample. For example: 20 samples x 0.9 = 18th sample. This is the 90th
  6859. percentile level.
  6860. Calculating the 9oth percentile is easiest when a supply collects 10 samples (or a
  6861. multiple of 1 0). Note that the 9oth percentile rnust be interpolated if the number of
  6862. samples is not a multiple of 10.
  6863. 7. What was the result of the first round of monitoring conducted by the City?
  6864. The first 6-month round of lead and copper monitoring conducted by the City ended
  6865. on December 31, 2014. One hundred samples were submitted and the 90th
  6866. percentile lead level was calculated to be 6 ppb. The next step required by the DEQ
  6867. was for the City to collect a second round of monitoring.
  6868. 8. What was the result of the second round of monitoring conducted by the City?
  6869. The second 6-month round of lead and copper monitoring conducted by the City
  6870. ended on June 30, 2015. Sixty-nine samples that complied with the site selection
  6871. criteria were submitted and the 90th percentile lead level was calculated to be
  6872. 11 ppb. The conclusion from these results was that the City, while in compliance
  6873. with the action level, exceeded the level required to be deemed as having optimized
  6874. corrosion control.
  6875. 9. Why was the City required to collect 100 compliance samples for lead and
  6876. copper in the first 6-month monitoring period of July through December of
  6877. 2014 and then only 60 compliance samples in the second 6-month period of
  6878. January through June of 2015?
  6879. The number of compliance samples required for lead and copper is based upon the
  6880. population served by the water system as identified in the table below, taken from
  6881. Rule 325.1071 Oa of Act 399.
  6882. Supply Size Number of Sites Number of Sites
  6883. (Number of People Served) (Standard   (Reduced Monitoring)
  6884. More than100,000 100 50
  6885. 10,001 to 100,000 60 30
  6886. 3,301 to 10,000 40 20
  6887. 501 to 3,300 20 10
  6888. 101 to 500 10 5
  6889. Fewer than 101 5 5
  6890. The number of samples the City was required to collect in the first round of
  6891. monitoring after they began relying on the Flint River was based on the 2010 census,
  6892. which listed the City's population as more than 100,000 residents. In March of 2015,
  6893. the City provided updated information that indicated the City's population had
  6894. decreased to less than 100,000. Therefore, they were only required to collect 60
  6895. samples. There is no rule prohibiting the collection of additional compliance samples
  6896. -only establishing a minimum number necessary.
  6897. 11
  6898. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6899. 10. What actions did the DEQ order the City to undertake after the second round of
  6900. monitoring?
  6901. While the City's LCR compliance monitoring continued to meet action level
  6902. requirements, the City exceeded the level required to be deemed as having
  6903. optimized corrosion control. Following receipt of the City's compliance monitoring
  6904. results, the DEQ sent a letter on August 17, 2015, requiring the City to install
  6905. corrosion control treatment.
  6906. Under the LCR, the City has 6 months to let the DEQ know whether it intends to
  6907. conduct a study, then 18 months to perform the study and make its recommendation,
  6908. and 24 months to complete installation of the selected corrosion control. The DEQ
  6909. requested the City accelerate this schedule. The City submitted plans and
  6910. specifications to install corrosion control treatment and a construction permit was
  6911. issued by the DEQ on October 28, 2015. The City is in the process of installing the
  6912. necessary equipment and procuring the appropriate chemicals. Treatment is
  6913. expected to be on-line by the end of November 2015. As of October 16, 2015, the
  6914. City resumed purchasing water from DWSD that is already optimized and provides a
  6915. corrosion inhibitor. The additional treatment by the City will further enhance the
  6916. amount of inhibitor in the system.
  6917. 11. What had Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advised
  6918. the DEQ regarding blood lead levels prior to the DEQ ordering the City to
  6919. implement optimized corrosion control?
  6920. In an e-mail dated July 28, 2015, regarding blood lead testing, the
  6921. Michigan DHHS indicated that they:
  6922. " ... compared lead testing rates and lead testing results to the
  6923. same time frame for the previous 3 years, to see if there were
  6924. any patterns that suggested that there were increased rates of
  6925. lead poisoning after the water supply was switched. Per the
  6926. attached charts -
  6927. • Lead testing rates remained about the same from
  6928. year-to-year. ..
  6929. 30
  6930. 20
  6931. 10
  6932. 0
  6933. City of Flint, Children less than 16 years of age
  6934. with First-Time Elevated Blood Lead Levels
  6935. May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
  6936. -2011-2012 -2012-2013 ~ 2 0 1 3   2 0 1 4 ---2014-2015
  6937. 12
  6938. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6939. There was a spike in elevated blood lead tests from July-
  6940. September 2014 ...
  6941. 600
  6942. 500
  6943. 400
  6944. 300
  6945. 200
  6946. 100
  6947. 0
  6948. City of Flint, Children less than 16 years of age
  6949. Tested for Lead Poisoning
  6950. May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
  6951. -2011-2012 -2012-2013 ~   ~ 2 0 1 3   2 0 1 4 ····-2014-2015
  6952. However, that pattern was not terribly different from what we
  6953. saw in the previous three years; especially in 2011-2012 (we are
  6954. working with our Epidemiologist to statistically verify any
  6955. significant differences).
  6956. We commonly see a 'seasonal effect' with lead, related to
  6957. people opening and closing windows more often in the summer,
  6958. which disturbs old deteriorating paint on the windows, sills and
  6959. sashes. Window fans frequently blow and spread the lead dust
  6960. from the deteriorating paint to other parts of the room/house. We
  6961. suspected that the summer data spike may be related to this
  6962. effect.
  6963. If the home water supply lines and/or river water were
  6964. contributing to elevated blood lead tests, we expected that the
  6965. increased rates would extend beyond the summer, but they drop
  6966. quite a bit from September to October, stayed low over the
  6967. winter, and are just starting to tail up again in the spring of 2015."
  6968. This e-mail from DHHS in concert with the completion of two 6-month rounds of lead
  6969. compliance sampling data indicating that the City had not exceeded an action level
  6970. for lead provided the basis for the DEQ to maintain that the water in the City
  6971. continued to be in compliance with the federal SDWA and Act 399.
  6972. 12. When did the DEQ first become aware of allegations of elevated blood levels
  6973. being detected in certain children?
  6974. The DEQ was notified on August 23, 2015, by a professor from Virginia Tech that
  6975. "over the next few months we will be studying Flint water quality issues ... " Results
  6976. indicating elevated lead levels in homes were reported as part of this study in late
  6977. August. In September 2015, information was reported in news articles that
  6978. 13
  6979. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  6980. pediatricians in the City had data suggesting an increase in children's blood lead
  6981. levels in two zip codes in the Flint area.
  6982. Prior to these dates, the City had already completed the required two 6-month
  6983. rounds of monitoring and the DEQ had made a determination that the City must
  6984. install corrosion control treatment as documented in correspondence dated
  6985. August 17, 2015.
  6986. VIII. QUESTIONS RAISED REGARDING THE DEQ'S ACTIONS
  6987. 1. What was the DEQ's response to the USEPA's inquiry in February 2015
  6988. regarding the optimized corrosion control treatment being implemented by the
  6989. City under the LCR?
  6990. The DEQ indicated that the City was complying with the LCR, the lead 90th
  6991. percentile level was below the action level of 15 ppb, and the City was already
  6992. conducting the second round of monitoring which would provide for a determination
  6993. of whether additional treatment needed to be installed. It should be noted that once
  6994. treatment is designated as optimal, there is no requirement in the LCR that lead
  6995. results be lower than they were before treatment was installed. The 90th percentile
  6996. only needs to be lower than the action level in the LCR.
  6997. 2. Did the DEQ attempt to mislead the USEPA in a February 27, 2015, e-mail
  6998. responding to the USEPA's inquiry regarding Optimal Corrosion Control
  6999. Treatment?
  7000. No. There was no attempt by the DEQ to mislead the US EPA. There is an e-mail
  7001. from Steve Busch, Jackson and Lansing District Supervisor, Office of Drinking
  7002. Water and Municipal Assistance, indicating that the City was practicing a corrosion
  7003. control program. What was meant was that the City was performing the required
  7004. monitoring to determine whether or not they were practicing optimized corrosion
  7005. control. The DEQ subsequently clarified its position in follow-up e-mails and
  7006. telephone conversations with the US EPA.
  7007. 3. When General Motors announced its intent to terminate water service from the
  7008. City and purchase water from Genesee County, should this have been a sign
  7009. that there were concerns with the quality of the water after the switch to the
  7010. Flint River?
  7011. No. General Motors made a decision regarding the quality of water for its
  7012. manufacturing processes. At the time, the company indicated that the chloride levels
  7013. were above limits acceptable as part of the manufacturing facility's limit for
  7014. production purposes. The level of chlorides in the water treated by the City was not
  7015. a human health or aesthetic concern.
  7016. Chloride does have a secondary maximum contaminant level established by the
  7017. USEPA, not for health-related concerns but rather for taste and aesthetic concerns.
  7018. Concentrations greater than the secondary maximum contaminant level of
  7019. 250 milligrams per liter (mg/1) become objectionable due to taste. According to the
  7020. City's records, the chloride concentration in the Flint River water is generally about
  7021. 45 mg/1 and the treated water chloride concentration leaving the water treatment
  7022. 14
  7023. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  7024. plant ranges between 55 and 65 mg/1. It should be noted that the City uses ferric
  7025. chloride as its primary coagulant, although this does not add a significant amount of
  7026. chloride to the finished water.
  7027. 4. Has the USEPA subsequently admitted that the LCR is subject to differing
  7028. interpretations such as that presented by the DEQ?
  7029. Yes. On November 3, 2015, the US EPA issued a memorandum regarding the "Lead
  7030. and Copper Rule Requirements for Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment for Large
  7031. Drinking Water Systems". This memorandum addresses concerns raised about the
  7032. application of the LCR, specifically the requirements pertaining to maintenance of
  7033. optimal corrosion control treatment, in situations in which a large water system
  7034. ceases to purchase treated water and switches to a new drinking water source. The
  7035. US EPA states that this type of situation rarely arises, that the language of the LCR
  7036. does not specifically discuss such circumstances, and that there are differing
  7037. possible interpretations of the LCR with respect to how the rule's optimal corrosion
  7038. control treatment procedures apply to this situation. The memorandum is intended to
  7039. clarify, on a prospective basis, steps agencies should take or apply in the future.
  7040. US EPA's new guidance provides acknowledgement that the LCR is subject to
  7041. differing interpretations. The DEQ's interpretation and application of the LCR in this
  7042. situation was in compliance with the federal SDWA and Act 399.
  7043. 5. Did the DEQ reject any of the samples submitted by the City?
  7044. Yes, samples at two locations were excluded from the compliance calculation in
  7045. conformance with rules issued by the US EPA.
  7046. According to the LCR, compliance samples must be a first draw, 1-liter sample
  7047. collected from a cold water, kitchen or bathroom tap after the tap has stood unused
  7048. for not less than 6 hours. Federal and state rules require community public water
  7049. systems to identify a pool of targeted high-risk sampling sites, called Tier 1 sampling
  7050. sites. For a municipality such as the City, the Tier 1 sampling pool must consist of
  7051. single family structures that are:
  7052. served by a lead service line,
  7053. contain lead pipes, or
  7054. contain copper pipes soldered with lead installed after 1982 but before Michigan
  7055. enacted the ban on solder containing high concentrations of lead (June, 1988).
  7056. As long as a community has Tier 1 sites that contain lead service lines, they are
  7057. required to collect at least 50 percent of their compliance samples from these lead
  7058. service line sites. Finally, federal and state rules specify that "Sampling sites may
  7059. not include faucets that have point of use or point of entry treatment devices
  7060. designed to remove inorganic contaminants." Such treatment devices include home
  7061. softeners, iron fillers, etc. Samples collected from multiple family residences,
  7062. commercial buildings, institutional facilities, or single family structures with
  7063. point-of-use or point-of-entry treatment can only be used if the community has
  7064. insufficient Tier 1 sites available.
  7065. 15
  7066. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  7067. One of the samples submitted by the City was excluded from the 9oth percentile
  7068. compliance calculation in the latest monitoring period because it was taken from a
  7069. tap at a non-residential site (non-Tier 1). The other sample result that was excluded
  7070. was collected from a single family home that has a whole house treatment system.
  7071. Both of these sites are, therefore, excluded from the compliance consideration based
  7072. upon federal and state rules.
  7073. 6. Did the DEQ review the information submitted by the City to ensure all
  7074. samples were from Tier 1 sites?
  7075. Yes. The DEQ examined the information submitted and certified by the City that its
  7076. LCR compliance monitoring sites consisted entirely of Tier 1 criteria sites, which met
  7077. the requirements of this rule to maximize sampling of high-risk targeted sites.
  7078. During the initial implementation of the LCR approximately 25 years ago, water
  7079. supplies were required to complete a materials evaluation of their distribution system
  7080. to identify a pool of targeted, high-risk sampling sites. These sites were to be
  7081. categorized into one of three Tiers (1, 2, or 3) based on risk. The DEQ created an
  7082. LCR reporting template for water systems to identify each compliance sampling site
  7083. by Tier, service line material, and building plumbing material.
  7084. If a water system has sufficient Tier 1 sites, they are required to sample them before
  7085. using any lower Tier sites. Furthermore, if they have sufficient sampling sites with
  7086. lead service lines, they are required to use them to make up at least 50 percent of
  7087. their sampling pool each monitoring period. Water supplies are also required to use
  7088. the same sampling sites. each time or explain on their LCR reporting form why they
  7089. were unable to do so. Finally, the water system is required to certify all of the
  7090. information they provide on the LCR reporting form is factual.
  7091. The DEQ must rely upon the public water system to identify appropriate sampling
  7092. sites for LCR monitoring. The DEQ public water supply program has no control or
  7093. authority over service lines or domestic plumbing. As a result, we have no records
  7094. on construction standards or materials used by customers for these components. If
  7095. these records exist, they are kept by plumbing code enforcement officials.
  7096. In 2015, City employees again certified that the information submitted on their LCR
  7097. monitoring reports for the two 6-month rounds of monitoring conducted after they
  7098. began treating the Flint River were accurate, and DEQ staff review of that
  7099. information indicated it was in compliance with the monitoring requirements. The
  7100. DEQ had no reason to question the validity of the City's reports until the DEQ heard
  7101. City employees revealing to the media that the City did not know for certain if its
  7102. compliance monitoring was collected from homes with lead service lines. As a
  7103. result, the DEQ began to investigate the City's monitoring sites. As the City began to
  7104. transfer its customer information to electronic. records, the DEQ determined from the
  7105. information available that a significant number of these sites that had been listed as
  7106. having lead service lines either did not have them or the information was unavailable.
  7107. On November 9, 2015, the DEQ notified the City in writing that it would be necessary
  7108. to conduct a complete assessment of its sampling pool and report back its findings
  7109. by December 30, 2015. The DEQ is now awaiting the City's response.
  7110. 16
  7111. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  7112. 7. Did the DEQ believe the levels of lead found at 212 Browning in April 2015
  7113. were indicative of a system-wide problem?
  7114. High levels of lead were collected in samples taken from this residence. It was
  7115. determined to be coming from an unusually long lead service line. For some reason,
  7116. this home was not connected to the water main that ran in front of the house, but
  7117. rather to a main located on a street several houses away. The City replaced the lead
  7118. service line May 6, 2015. Since the internal plumbing of the house is plastic, it was
  7119. believed that replacement of the lead service line would resolve the problem, and
  7120. subsequent sampling taken at this address showed that replacement of the service
  7121. line did mitigate the problem. There was, therefore, no reason to believe that this
  7122. was indicative of a system-wide problem.
  7123. 8. Do the DEQ's sampling instructions comply with the LCR?
  7124. The DEQ continues to seek official clarification from the US EPA regarding the
  7125. sampling protocols. The DEQ's sampling recommendations were developed to
  7126. ensure compliance with the USEPA's guidance provided in the preamble to their lead
  7127. and copper regulations that said that household use should be "typical" for a
  7128. residential customer on the day before sample collection for lead and copper. Early
  7129. in the implementation of the LCR, the DEQ had encountered too many situations
  7130. where compliance samples had been collected from kitchen and bathroom taps that
  7131. had not been used in days and in some cases, even weeks, resulting in excessively
  7132. stagnated water and correspondingly high lead levels that did not represent typical
  7133. exposure expected after overnight stagnation. To incorporate these results into
  7134. further regulatory decision making could have led to actions that were not indicative
  7135. of a true public health threat. Further complicating this issue was the US EPA's direct
  7136. implementation of the LCR in Washington, D.C., where it was learned that some
  7137. "valid" lead results were not always being included in compliance calculations.
  7138. Subsequently, the USEPA made invalidation of samples for any reason much more
  7139. difficult. In order to ensure samples were taken at customer taps representative of
  7140. typical use, the DEQ devised the current recommendations for ensuring appropriate
  7141. but not excessive stagnation for LCR monitoring.
  7142. The DEQ continues to believe it is appropriate to ensure that taps being sampled are
  7143. representative of typical household use and are sampled during the recommended
  7144. stagnation period of 6-18 hours. The LCR does not say the result should represent
  7145. the "absolute worst case" condition- it talks about sampling the highest risk
  7146. locations (lead plumbing, lead service lines, high lead content solder piping, etc.)
  7147. after overnight stagnation and then collecting a first draw sample so as not to flush
  7148. elevated lead from that tap at that point in time. There are a number of other states
  7149. that share the DEQ's interpretation of the rule and the DEQ encourages the US EPA
  7150. to provide official clarification directed at all states with primacy.
  7151. 17
  7152. Privileged Attorney-Client Communication November 16, 2015
  7153. 9. Does the DEQ require the use of small-neck bottles to obtain samples?
  7154. No. The DEQ does not mandate the use of small-neck bottles; it is the sampling
  7155. method that is specified in both the federal SDWA and Act 399. Each certified
  7156. drinking water laboratory provides bottles to their customers upon request for any
  7157. particular analysis in accordance with the specifications in the SDWA. The bottles
  7158. provided by the DEQ Drinking Water Laboratory for a lead and copper corrosion
  7159. control sample meet these requirements.
  7160. 18
  7161. From: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  7162. Sent: Thursday, December 03,201512:52 PM
  7163. To: Murray, David {GOV) <MurrayD1@michigan.gov>
  7164. Cc: Scott, Allison {GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Agen, Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis
  7165. (GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth {GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>
  7166. Subject: Re: ACTION NEEDED on Flint water documents
  7167. Please proceed as recommended.
  7168. )hanks
  7169. Rick
  7170. Sent from my iPad
  7171. On Dec 3, 2015, at 12:43 PM, Murray, David {GOV) <MurrayD1@michigan.gov> wrote:
  7172. Good afternoon Governor,
  7173. Sorry for the quick turnaround time on this, but DHHS is hoping to issue the release t his afternoon to
  7174. avoid issuing news on Friday. The DHHS team has answered the questions and made significant revisions
  7175. to the press release at my request. I think this is far more reader friendly and people focused.
  7176. Here are the specific answers to the questions:
  7177. Do the elevated lead levels stick with a person for life?
  7178. We do see blood lead levels decrease after education takes place and exposure to lead sources is
  7179. reduced. The purpose of screening children for lead is to identify those with elevated levels. Removing
  7180. potential sources of lead exposure and ensuring proper nutrition and healthcare leads to decreases in
  7181. blood lead levels in follow-up testing, which is an important part of case management. Lead has a half-
  7182. life in blood of approximately 25 days; in soft tissue, about 40 days; and in the non-labile portion of
  7183. bone, more than 25 years.
  7184. Why do the lead levels spike on a seasonal basis?
  7185. When reviewing historical trend data, the risk of lead exposure is highest during the third quarter of
  7186. each year- July through September. Seasonal variation is the result of a number of factors including
  7187. increased exposure to lead in dust and soil in the summer months.
  7188. DHHS is requesting to issue this at 2 p.m. with Dr. Wells available to answer questions ..
  7189. Thank you for your consideration.
  7190. 1
  7191. Dave .
  7192. The notifications will be timed as follows:
  7193. 1:30 p.m.
  7194. " Send final embargoed release and summary report to:
  7195. o Genesee County Health Department- Geralyn Lasher
  7196. o Dr. Mona Hannah-Attisha- Geralyn Lasher
  7197. 9 Task Force Members- Geralyn Lasher
  7198. o City of Flint Mayor's Office- Geralyn Lasher
  7199. o Congress and legislature - Elizabeth Hertel
  7200. 2 p.m.
  7201. • Issue press release and summary report
  7202. • Post press release and summary report to MDHHS website newsroom and Flint Water website,
  7203. www.michigan.gov/flintwater
  7204. Please let me know if you have any additional questions, edits or concerns.
  7205. Thank you,
  7206. Jennifer Eisner
  7207. Public Information Officer
  7208. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  7209. Office: 517-241··2112 or EisnerJ@mlchigan.gov
  7210. <Flint EBL Data Press Release V9.docx>
  7211. <Comms Plan- Flint EBL Data Summary 12315.docx>
  7212. <Flint Blood Lead Level Summary Report Dec.pdt>
  7213. 2
  7214. From: Murray, David '(GOV)
  7215. Sent: Thursday, Decem
  7216. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  7217. Cc: Scott, Allison (GOV) Jarrod (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis
  7218. {GOV) <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth {GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>
  7219. Subject: ACTION NEEDED on Flint water documents
  7220. Good afternoon Governor,
  7221. Sorry for the quick turnaround time on this, but DHHS is hoping to issue the release this afternoon to avoid issuing news
  7222. on Friday. The DHHS team has answered the questions and made significant revisions to the press release at my request.
  7223. I think this is far more reader friendly and people focused.
  7224. Here are the specific answers to the questions: ·
  7225. Do the elevated lead levels sticlc with a person for life?
  7226. We do see blood lead levels decrease after education t akes place and exposure to lead sources is reduced. The purpose
  7227. of screening children for lead is to identify those with elevated levels. Removing potential sources of lead exposure and
  7228. ensuring proper nutrition and healthcare leads to decreases in blood lead levels in follow-up testing, which is an
  7229. important part of case management. Lead has a half-life in blood of approximately 25 days; in soft tissue, about 40 days;
  7230. and in the non-labil e portion of bone, more than 25 years.
  7231. Why do the lead levels spike on a seasonal basis?
  7232. When reviewing historical trend data, the risk of lead exposure is highest during the third quarter of each year- July
  7233. through September. Seasonal variation is the result of a number of factors including increased exposure to lead in dust
  7234. and soil in the summer months.
  7235. DHHS is requesting to issue this at 2 p.m. with Dr. Wells available to answer questions.
  7236. Thank you for your consideration.
  7237. Dave
  7238. The notifications will be timed as follows:
  7239. 1:30 p.m.
  7240. o Send f inal embargoed r.elease and summary report to:
  7241. o Genesee County Health Department- Geralyn Lasher
  7242. 1
  7243. o Dr. Mona Hannah-Attisha - Geralyn Lasher
  7244. o Task Force Members - Geralyn Lasher
  7245. o City of Flint Mayor's Office- Geralyn Lasher
  7246. o Congress and legislature- Elizabeth Hertel
  7247. 2 p.m.
  7248. o Issue press release and summary report
  7249. o Post press release and summary report to MDHHS website newsroom and Flint Water website,
  7250. www .michigan.gov /flintwater
  7251. Please let me know if you have any additional questions, edits or concerns.
  7252. Thank you,
  7253. Jennifer Eisner
  7254. Public Information Officer
  7255. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  7256. Office: 517-241-2112 or ElsnerJ@michlgan.gov
  7257. 2
  7258. From: Ken Sikkema [mail to:l<sil<kema@pscinc.com]
  7259. Sent: Monday, Decem 3:31 PM
  7260. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  7261. Cc: Chris·Kolb <chris@environmenta Davis <mattdav@med.umich.edu>; Lawrence Reynolds
  7262. <reynolds@mottchc.org>; Eric Rothstein <erothste@grg-ltd.com>; Baird, Richard (GOV) <bairdr@michigan.gov>
  7263. Subject: Flint Water Advisory Task Force Recommendation
  7264. Dear Governor Snyder:
  7265. We want to thank you for the recent conference call between members of the Flint Water Advisory Task Force
  7266. (FWATF), yomself, and members of your administration. Attached is a follow-up letter to that conference call
  7267. outlining an initial set of recommendations that we believe should be implemented in the very near future to
  7268. focus the state's efforts to protect the public health in Flint.
  7269. We both acknowledge and appreciate your personal interest in this issue and your commitment, not only to
  7270. assisting the Task Force in our review, but--most importantly--to ensuring that the full measure of state
  7271. resources are brought forward to protect the public health in Flint and throughout the state.
  7272. Respectfully,
  7273. Ken Sildcema
  7274. Ken Sikkema
  7275. Senior Policy Fellow
  7276. Public Sector Consultants
  7277. PFI: 517-484-4954
  7278. ksildcema@pscinc.com
  7279. 1
  7280. December 7, 2015
  7281.  
  7282. On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, the Flint Water Advisory Task Force met with representatives of
  7283. the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Michigan Department of Health
  7284. and Human Services {N)DHHS} to discuss elements of the 10-point Action Plan designed t o address
  7285. various issues related to the ongoing public health protection challenges precipitated by lead in the Flint
  7286. water supply. These discussions were held at our request as part of our task to make recommendat ions
  7287. t o prevent a simi lar occurrence in Flint or elsewhere, and ·also to monitor ongoing mitigation efforts.
  7288. to those on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, members of the Task Force
  7289. participated in a conference call with yourself, members of the Administration, and representatives of
  7290. these agencies to discuss the progress to date on t he 10-point Action Plan, as well as several other
  7291. related issues.
  7292. We want to acknowl edge the steps that have already been taken to implement the action plan,
  7293. specifically in the areas of outreach efforts t o facilitate blood lead t.esting for children, communication
  7294. with health care providers in the Flint community about the importance of t esting children for lead, and
  7295. the training of additional public health nurses in the Genesee County Health Department. We do
  7296. believe, however, that additional steps need to be taken to reach additional children for blood lead
  7297. testing, assure proper follow-up with children found to have elevated blood lead levels, and t o conti nue
  7298. water t esting. We will continue to assess state and local efforts and make recommendations regarding
  7299. specific steps t hat we believe are warranted.
  7300. One primary concern we have at this point is that the current efforts appear to be taking place in the
  7301. absence of a larger project coordination framework that measures results and clearly delineates
  7302. responsibilities for continuing actions to protect public health. We believe the state is best positioned to
  7303. faci litate this larger framework, which should address the following:
  7304. 1. The need for MDHHS and MDEQ- and, possibly, other state agencies--to set goals for actions in
  7305. collaboration wi_th local and federal agencies and organizations.
  7306. 2. The need for a set of corresponding timelines for the goals.
  7307. 3. The need to establish responsibility for meeting the goals in a timely fashion and for
  7308. contingency plans for the state if t he goals are not being met.
  7309. 4. The need for clear, regular communication with the Flint community and stakeholder groups
  7310. regarding action steps and updates.
  7311. We also believe it important that a single person or entity-potentially independent of any one
  7312. particular state agency and mutually agreeable to this Task Force and you, Governor-be established to
  7313. provide effective coordination of ongoing activities and reporting on the status of mitigat ion measures.
  7314. For this, we also believe a readily understood "dashboard" should be developed that reports on the
  7315. goals, til'"(lelines and assignments. This will enable members of the Flint community, public health
  7316. providers, and state agencies to know about the status of the Flint water crisis mitigation program, as
  7317. well as promote coordinati on and accountability. The Task Force is prepared to assist in the
  7318. development of that dashboard.
  7319. We beli eve it is vi tally important that trusted members of the Flint community be engaged in
  7320. communication on this issue, as well as t he distribution of information conveyed by our suggested
  7321. dashboard reporting. Accordingly, in advance of our final report, we would like to ensure the
  7322. independent coordinator suggest ed above engage trusted community groups to begin rebuilding·
  7323. community t rust in st ate actions.
  7324. We appreciate your personal interest in this issue, commitment to assisting t he Task Force in our
  7325. review, and-most importantly-commitment to ensuring that the full measure of state resources are
  7326. brought forward to protect the public health in Flint and throughout the state.
  7327. Respectfully yours,
  7328. Flint Water Advisory Task Force:
  7329. Dr. Matt Davis
  7330. Chris l<olb
  7331. Dr. Larry Reynolds
  7332. Eri c Rothstein
  7333. Ken Sikkema
  7334. From: Murray, David (GOV)
  7335. Sent: Thursday, Dece 10 2015 3:56 PM
  7336. To: Snyder, Rick Agen, Jarrod (GOV} <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Holland, Meegan (GOV}
  7337. <HollandM2@michigan.gov>
  7338. Subject: REVIEW, please -- Draft Flint Water Task Force response
  7339. Good afternoon, Governor,
  7340. Here is a draft response, pasted below and attached, to t he letter from the Flint Water Task Force, incorporating
  7341. suggestions from Rich and others. Please let me know if you want changes, and we' ll prepare a version on letterhead.
  7342. Thank you for your time.
  7343. Dave
  7344. Dear Flint Water Advisory Task Force Members,
  7345. Thank you for your correspondence on Dec. 7, and, most importantly, f or your hard work to promote public health and
  7346. protect our residents as we move forward. Your efforts are both respected and appreciated.
  7347. As acknowledged in your letter, we have taken many steps to address t he challenges in Flint as they relate to reducing
  7348. lead exposure. I am pleased to see the progress since October, and recognize there is more work that must be done to
  7349. ensure that this progress cont inues.
  7350. At the state level, there has been a conf luence of efforts between Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality and
  7351. Health and Human Services t o coordinate with the Genesee County Health Department, local schools, and our partners
  7352. in t he non-profit community.
  7353. These partners are making progress, and we know we must always strive to improve practices and communication for
  7354. continual improvement.
  7355. You make a solid suggestion about establishing a person who Is independent of any one of the involved s t   t ~ agenci es to
  7356. serve as the point person to coordinate t he ongoing work. I am recommending that Harvey Hollins, director of the Office
  7357. of Urban Initiatives, carry out thi s effort. Harvey Is well-versed in t he issues and the challenges f aced by our cities and
  7358. will be effective in this role. Seni or members of our executive t eam will conti nue to engage wit h your task f orce and
  7359. provide direction and support to Harvey to ensure you will have continued support and cooperation. We also have
  7360. retained Chris DeWitt, a veteran communi cations specialist, t o st rengthen community outreach efforts t o make sure
  7361. residents have access to the information they need.
  7362. 1
  7363. I also support your suggestion of a dashboard to mal<e 11 11U II IIc.lliVII u ... ~ --· . . . •
  7364. Flint community. These are critical measures that can be used as we look the challenges and progress in Flint, but also
  7365. can be a part of efforts moving forward in other areas of our state. It's important that people have confidence that we
  7366. are working to address any problems and will t ake t he necessary actions to improve interaction among city, state and
  7367. federal agencies. We nlso wi ll continue to worl< with t he medical community to consider how we can work together on
  7368. wraparound needs of chi ldren who might experience health problems. .
  7369. People in Flint and across our stat e deserve saf e, clean water. I want t hem to be confident that the water coming out of
  7370. their tap is safe for t heir fami lies. And I want t hem to trust that their government- at all levels- is working effectively to
  7371. protect t hem.
  7372. I thank you again for investing your t ime and expertise in this vitally important effort.
  7373. Dave Murray
  7374. Press Secretary I Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder
  7375. MurrayDl@michigan.gov
  7376. 517-335-6397, office
  7377. Twitter:@mlchlgandmurray
  7378. 2
  7379. Flint Water Advisory Task Force Members,
  7380. Thank you f or your correspondence on Dec. 7, and, most Importantly, for your hard work to promote
  7381. public healt h and protect our residents as we move forward. Your efforts are both respected and
  7382. appreci at ed.
  7383. As acknowledged in your letter, we have taken many steps to address the challenges in Flint as they
  7384. relate to reducing lead exposure. I am pleased to see the progress since October, and recognize there is
  7385. more work that must be done to ensure that t his progress continues.
  7386. At the st ate level, there has been a confluence of efforts between Michigan Departments of
  7387. Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Genesee County Health
  7388. Department, local schools, and our partners in the non-profit community.
  7389. These partners are making progress, and we know we must always strive t o improve practices and
  7390. communication for continual improvement.
  7391. You make a solid suggestion about est ablishing a person who is Independent of any one ofthe involved
  7392. state agencies to serve as the point person to coordinate the ongoing work. I am recommending that
  7393. Harvey Hollins, director of the Office of Urban Initiatives, carry out this effort. Harvey is well-versed in
  7394. the issues and the challenges faced by our cities and will be effective in thi s role. Senior members of our
  7395. executive team will continue t o engage with your task force and provide direction and support to Harvey
  7396. to ensure you will have continued support and cooperation. We also have retained Chris DeWitt, a
  7397. veteran communications specialist, to strengthen community outreach efforts to make sure residents
  7398. have access t o the Information they need.
  7399. I also support your suggestion of a dashboard to make Information about our work and progress more
  7400. accessible to the Flint community. These are critical measures that can be used as we look the
  7401. challenges and progress in Flint, but also can be a part of efforts moving forward in other areas of our
  7402. state. It's Important that people have confidence that we are working to address any problems and will
  7403. take the necessary actions to improve interact ion among city, state and federal agencies. We also will
  7404. continue to work with the medical commun.ity to consider how we can work together on wraparound
  7405. needs of children who might experience health problems.
  7406. People in Flint and across our state deserve saf e, clean water. I want them to be confident that the
  7407. water coming out of their tap is safe for their families. And I want them to trust that their government -
  7408. at all levels- is working effect ively to protect them.
  7409. I thank you again for investing your time and expertise in this vitally important effort.
  7410. Regards,
  7411. From: Murray, David {GOV)
  7412. Sent: Friday, December 11, 2015 2:58 PM
  7413. To: Snyder, Rick {GOV)-Calley, Brian {GOV) uchmore, Dennis
  7414. (GOV) (GOV) <clemente@michigan. gov>; arrod {GOV)
  7415. <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Posthumus, Dick {GOV) <Posthumusd@michigan.gov>; Redford, James (GOV)
  7416. <RedfordJ@michigan.gov>; Baird, Richard (GOV) <bairdr@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey {GOV)
  7417. <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Mcbride, Bil l {GOV) <mcbrideb@michigan.gov>; Holland, Meegan {GOV)
  7418. <HollandM2@michigan.gov>; Forstner, Nathaniel (GOV) <forstnernl@michigan.gov>; Brownfield, Michael {GOV)
  7419. <BrownfieldM2@michigan.gov>; Walsh, John (GOV) <WalshJ@michigan.gov>
  7420. Cc:   Allison {GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Wisniewski, Wendy {GOV) <wisniewskiw@michigan.gov>
  7421. Subject: New release on blood lead level testing in Flint.
  7422. Good afternoon Governor and team,
  7423. Just wanted to give you a heads up about a release DHHS is issuing today with updated
  7424. blood lead level testing. Apout 500 more people have been tested since the last release,
  7425. and eight more people had elevated levels.
  7426. The format and information is similar to the previous release. DHHS plans to issue such
  7427. updates every t hree weeks for the time being to show transparency, remind people that
  7428. testing is available if they are concerned, and that free filters and replacement cartridges
  7429. are available.
  7430. I' ve pasted the release below.
  7431. Have a nice weekend,
  7432. Dave
  7433. December 11, 2015
  7434. MDHHS releases latest round of Flint blood lead level data
  7435. LANSING, Mich.- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services today issued
  7436. its newest summary report on lead testing in Flint According to preliminary data, 39 of
  7437. 1,836 adults and chilchen tested had elevated blood lead levels since Oct. 1.
  7438. 1
  7439. "As testing continues, our focus remains on11e1pmg 1uuu"" ua         - - · L
  7440. to lead," said Dr. Eden Wells, MDI-II-IS chief medical executive. "We are working closely
  7441. with the Genesee County Health Department to provide information and offer tools in the
  7442. conmmnity, and encourage families to explore the resources that are available to them."
  7443. Both capillary and venous blood tests are included in the report, and people who have had
  7444. multiple tests are counted only once. Tests and their results cover the time since the state
  7445. action plan was put in place on Oct. 2, and capture the number of elevated blood lead
  7446. levels greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter.
  7447. MDHHS is working closely with local partners to offer resom·ces and distribute important
  7448. lead testing and prevention inf01mation. Additional state funding has allowed for Genesee
  7449. Cmmty Health Department (GCHD) nurses to work with families when an elevated blood
  7450. lead level is detected. These families can also choose to have the nmse coordinate an
  7451. enviromnental health investigation in their home to identify lead exposures, which could
  7452. be lead from paint, soil, plumbing, and other sources.
  7453. To support these efforts, the state is coordinating with its Medicaid health plans and
  7454. provider communities on enhanced screening and testing. In addition to mandated testing
  7455. at ages one and two for the Medicaid population, MDHHS has recommended blood lead
  7456. testing for any child younger than six years of age in Flint who has not previously been
  7457. tested. The state, in coordination with GCHD, developed and issued a Health Ale1t
  7458. Network (HAN) notification for local providers to help ensure consistent messaging and
  7459. protocols among primary care providers.
  7460. Free water filters and replacement cartridges are still available to Flint residents. For a full
  7461. list oflocations and hours of distribution, or to view the full blood lead level report, visit
  7462. www.michigan.gov/flintwater. The summary will be updated as more data becomes
  7463. available.
  7464. To help residents properly install water filters, and to demonstrate how to replace the
  7465. original when it expll:es, MDHHS has created an instructional video on its YouTube
  7466. channel. For this and other updates, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
  7467. Dave Murray
  7468. Press Secretary I Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder
  7469. MurrayDl@michigan.gov
  7470. 517-335-6397, office
  7471. !'
  7472. \witter:@ michigan murray
  7473. ###
  7474. 2
  7475. <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  7476. Subject: Briefing on Flint water blog post
  7477. Colleagues,
  7478. Here is a quick summary of a blog post that appears on f lintwaterstudy.org, based on 159 pages of DHHS
  7479. emails requested by Virginia Tech researcher Marc Edwards under the Freedom of Information Act.
  7480. The headline: "Michigan Health Department Hid Evidence of Health Harm Due to Lead Contaminated Water:
  7481. Allowed False Public Assurances by MDEQ and Stonewall ed Outside Researchers"
  7482. Major points:
  7483. • Lee Ann Walters contacted DHHS nurse l<aren Lishinski to discuss her child's high lead level. The
  7484. response: "He is barely lead poisoned. If CDC had not changed their lead poisoning standard f rom 10
  7485. down to 5, we would not be having this conversation ... I am working with kids in thei r 40's and SO's. It
  7486. is just a few IQ points ... it is not the end of the world."
  7487. • DHHS reached out to DEQ after some red flags about lead levels; Stephen Busch responded with
  7488. inaccurate i nformation. Even so, DHHS proceeded wit h studies on lead levels and found spiked levels
  7489. for Q3 2014 and 2015 (third quarters- the summer months- often have season spikes). July 2015
  7490. memos indi cate they could see something was awry, but the story implies that DHHS sat on the results.
  7491. • In s·eptember 2015, Brad Wurfel said a study was done and he used it to discredit data from Virginia
  7492. Tech showing high lead levels. The blog post says Wurfel misrepresented the DHHS results and that
  7493. DHHS "stood by and said nothing while MDEQ made false claims about what the blood lead data
  7494. showed."
  7495. • Virginia Tech's Marc Edwards requesteQ ~   t e r data on 9/2/15. He waited for several weeks for the
  7496. information, and the article talks about how the request caused a flurry of emai ls at DHHS, particularly
  7497. between Robert Scott and Nancy Peeler {who work in the childhood lead prevention program). The
  7498. story says the em ails show the department was acting unethically because they appeared to be
  7499. stonewall ing Edwards and later Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.
  7500. DHHS' response:
  7501. "The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been, and continues to be, committed to full
  7502. disclosure of information regarding the city of Flint and blood lead levels. To suggest otherwise is not
  7503. consistent with how we have responded.
  7504. 1
  7505. "When initially looking at the citywide and county el evated blood lead level numbers, the mcrease appea1eu
  7506. to be consistent with the routine seasonal fluctuat ion seen in the summer months. It wasn't until the Hurley
  7507. report came out that owr epidemiologists took a more in-depth look at the data by zip code, controlling for
  7508. seasonal variation, and confirmed an increase outside of normal trends. As a result of this process, we have
  7509.   e ~ e r m i n e   that the way we analyze data coll ected needs to be thoroughly reviewed. Our after action report
  7510. will help determine how we conduct this process in the future.
  7511. "Our department is focused on ensuring that appropriate case management and follow up is occurring in Flint.
  7512. Summary reports outlining blood l ead level testing are posted online on a bi-weekly basis, and we are working
  7513. closely with local partners to fulfill data requests as we receive them.
  7514. "Regarding the FOIA, Mr. Edwards received all of the requested documents, with personal information
  7515. redacted, on Friday, December 18."
  7516. Media response: We have received requests from The Flint Journal, The Detroit Free Press, Michigan Radio,
  7517. Huffington Post, Rachel Maddow and Flint TV.
  7518. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask away.
  7519. Meegan
  7520. Meegan Holland
  7521. Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder
  7522. Office: 517-335-6397
  7523. ~
  7524. 2
  7525. From: Holland, Meegan (GOV)
  7526. Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2015 8:08AM
  7527. To: Agen, Jarred (GOV) <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Baird, Richard (GOV) <bairdr@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey (GOV)
  7528. <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Walsh, John (GOV} <WalshJ@michigan.gov>; Calley, Brian  
  7529. Snyder, Rick (GOV) Clement, Elizabeth (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>; Scott,
  7530. {GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>
  7531. Subject: BRIEFING: Auditor General answers on Flint water situation
  7532. Colleagues:
  7533. Here is a summary of answers from the Office ofthe Auditor General in response to questions mostly posed by Sen. Jim
  7534. Ananich's office (the auditor added a few questions in the 11-page report). The questions came as the OAG conducts an
  7535. audit of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance's handling of the Flint water crisis.
  7536. Conclusions:
  7537. While the City Council voted in March 2013 to move to the KWA pipeline, it didn't the Flint River as an interim
  7538. water source. But the DEQ had approved the river as a backup source for emergency purposes in 2006. The treated
  7539. water met safety standards in quarterly tests by the Flint WTP, but Flint had never tested its effect on the distribution
  7540. system.
  7541. In an email review of key DEQ managers to determine if there was an effort to conceal information, only one email
  7542. exchange rai sed red flags. The EPA had asked DEQ in February 2015 if Flint had a corrosion control program; the DEQ
  7543. responded the city had an optimized program in place. But in April the EPA as!<ed again, and the DEQ said that the Flint
  7544. Water Treatment Plant {WTP) was not doing corrosion control. DEQ later explained that its first response referred to its
  7545. program to monitor a new water source (in this case, the Flint river) for lead/copper for two consecutive six-month
  7546. periods to determine optimal corrosion treatment. The report says there's no reason to bel ieve that DEQ willfully
  7547. misrepresented information to the EPA. It also concludes that ODWMA employees appeared to have notified
  7548. management about the unfolding Flint water situation.
  7549. DEQ did not consult with the EPA on how best to apply the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) monitoring practices after the
  7550. switch to Flint water, but from past experience, DEQ believed it was doing so correctly by doing two rounds of six-month
  7551. monitoring on the new water source before determini ng optimal corrosion control. The EPA disagreed with DEQ's
  7552. interpretation of t he LCR, but later stated that the LCR was open to interpretation. It then cl arified the rule; the upshot:
  7553. corrosion controls already in place when Flint was on Detroit water should have been maintained after the switch.
  7554. DEQ should have notified t he Flint WTP to start corrosion controls once t he first ro.und of six·· month sampling results
  7555. arrived in late March 2015 and showed the water exceeded acceptable lead levels.
  7556. 1
  7557. DEQ doesn't oversee the Flint WTP so it doesn't have any accountability measures to ensure the WTP is collecting water
  7558. samples from tier 1 homes, i.e., residences with lead service lines, soldering or plumbing. Instead, DEQ relies on Flint's
  7559. certification of sampl e sites. The auditor suggests DEQ should consider an independent verification of the sampling pool
  7560. or Flint's certifications. In November 2015, Flint admitted that it had no way to ensure the sites were al l t ier 1. Water
  7561. samples came from 175 randomly distributed testing bottles. DEQ has asked Flint to veri fy its prior samples by this
  7562. Wednesday (12/30}.
  7563. There's been controversy that DEQ dropped two sampling sites with high lead levels from its second six-month review. It
  7564. was appropriate for DEQ to do so because those sites did not meet federal criteri a. It was also appropriate f or DEQ to
  7565. require flushing taps the night before sampling to ensure faucets didn't contain overly stagnant water.
  7566. Charts show that most water samples were taken in the sixth month of the six-month test,ing period. The report said it's
  7567. tough to determine if the lateness of the sampling affects the accuracy.
  7568. The report ends with an excellent time line. I have attached the report in case you want to review the timeline on page
  7569. 11.
  7570. Meegan Holland
  7571. Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder
  7572. Office: 517-335-6397
  7573. !!!!!IJII
  7574. 2
  7575. From: Wyant, Dan (DEQ)
  7576. Sent: Monday, Decem
  7577. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV) Scott, Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Agen, Jarrod (GOV)
  7578. <AgenJ@michigan.gov>; Baird, Richard r @michigan.gov>; Muchmore, Dennis (GOV)
  7579. <muchmored@michigan.gov>; Hollins, Harvey {GOV) <hollinsh@michigan.gov>; Posthumus, Dick (GOV)
  7580. <Posthumusd@michigan.gov>; Murray, David (GOV) <MurrayD1@michigan.gov>; Holland, Meegan (GOV)
  7581. <HollandM2@michigan.gov>; Lyon, Nick (DHHS) <LyonN2@michigan.gov>
  7582. Cc: Wyant, Dan (DEQ) <WyantD@michigan.gov>
  7583. Subject: FW: Audit or General Lett er- City of Flint Drinki ng Water
  7584. FYI - Please see the attached letter. The Auditor General findings are consistent with the DEQ's own
  7585. internal review. The Auditor General delivered the letter to Senator Ananich late Wednesday,
  7586. December 23, 2015. ·
  7587. Please call me if you have any questions.
  7588. Dan Wyant
  7589. Director
  7590. Attachment
  7591. Frorn: MI_ Office_oUhe_Auditor _Genera I [ mailto: mi auditor general@audgen. michigan .gov]
  7592. Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 3:18 PM
  7593. To: a!eavltt@senate.michigan.gov; sstudley@senate.michiqan.gov
  7594. Cc: Hirst, Laura (OAG); Ringler, Doug (OAG); Wyant, Dan (DEQ); Sygo, Jim (DEQ)
  7595. Subject: Auditor General Letter - City of Flint Drinking Water
  7596. Please see the attached letter, which addresses your questions about the City of Flint's drinking water.
  7597. We stand ready to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you.
  7598. 1
  7599.  
  7600. Auditor General
  7601. Office of the Autlitor Gcncml ....
  7602. 201 N. Wru;hlogton Sqmu:e, Si..-th Floo( • Lansing; Michigan 48913 • Phone: (517) 33+8050 • www.audgen.micbignu.gov
  7603. The Honorable Jim Ananich
  7604. Senat e Minority Leader
  7605. State Capitol, Room S- 1 05
  7606. Lal!sing, Michigan
  7607. Dear Senator Ananich:
  7608. December 23, 2015
  7609. Enclosed are answers to the questions you posed in your October 20, 2015 letter to our
  7610. office regarding the audit we are conducting of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal
  7611. Assistance (ODWMA), Department of Environmental Quality (DEO), specific to lead
  7612. contamination in the City of Flint's drinking water. Also enclosed are additional questions
  7613. we developed that are rel evant to these issues, along with five exhibits:
  7614. • A map showing Flint water samples by zip code.
  7615. • A map showing lead counts of 5 parts per billion or higher.
  7616. • Two charts showing the number of samples by time period and zip code.
  7617. • A time line of the Flint water review.
  7618. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you in answering questions regarding this topic. If
  7619. you have further questions or a request f or other services, please do not hesitate to
  7620. contact our office.
  7621. Encl osures
  7622. Sincerely,
  7623. D.VJ  
  7624. Doug Ringler
  7625. Auditor General
  7626. Q 1: How does ODWMA ensure the data it receives is accurate?
  7627. A: With regard to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead
  7628. and Copper Rule (LCR) monitoring requirements, DEQ relies on the following key
  7629. controls to ensure the accuracy of t est results:
  7630. • State-owned laboratories test water samples.
  7631. • State-owned laboratories send test results directly to DEQ.
  7632. • The City of Flint Water Treatment Plant (Flint WTP) certifies whether
  7633. sample sites are classified as tier 1 •.
  7634. The current Flint WTP LCR sampl ing process includes:
  7635. 1. DEQ informs the Flint WTP of the required water lead and copper
  7636. sample size.
  7637. 2. The Flint WTP determines the pool of t ier 1 sites for sampling.
  7638. 3. The Flint WTP selects the sample.
  7639. 4. The Flint WTP sends out sample kits and instructions to residents for
  7640. coll ecting water samples. ·
  7641. 5. Residents leave samples and signed sampling forms outside their front
  7642. doors.
  7643. 6. The Flint WTP empl.oyee picks up samples and forms from residents.
  7644. 7. The Flint WTP employee reviews sample forms for completeness.
  7645. 8. The Flint WTP employee sends samples to the State-owned
  7646. laboratories.
  7647. 9. State-owned laboratories test samples and provide results directly to
  7648. DEQ.
  7649. 10. DEQ receives water lead and copper sample results, which include
  7650. the following information: date coll ected, date received, address
  7651. where collected, type of residence (e.g., single family or apartment),
  7652. and sample point (e.g., kitchen sink or bathroom sink). ·
  7653. 11. DEQ tracks, and follows up if necessary, the number of samples
  7654. collected by the Flint WTP to help ensure that the required minimum
  7655. number of samples are collectea by the monitoring period deadline.
  7656. Single-family or multiple-family residence with lead service line, lead solder copper piping
  7657. construct ed after 1982, or lead plumbing.
  7658. Page 1
  7659. 12. The Flint WTP submits lead and copper report to DEQ that certifies
  7660. whether sample sites meet tier ·1 criteria.
  7661. 13. DEQ prepares the LCR 90th percentile calculation report.
  7662. During our review, we noted two potential improvements f or the Flint WTP
  7663. sampling process (see Question 5 of the additional questions answered by the
  7664. OAG regarding tier 1 sample validity):
  7665. • DEQ could verify that the sampling pool was limited to only tier 1 sample
  7666. sites to ensure that the Flint WTP is in compl iance with the LCR
  7667. (Title 40, Part 141, section 86(a)(3) of the Code of Federal Regulations
  7668. [CFR]).
  7669. • DEQ could i ndependently verify the validity of sample site certifications.
  7670. Q2: What accountability measures are in place for ODWMA staff who fail to follow data
  7671. verification protocols?
  7672. A: DEQ does not provide any direct oversight over the Flint WTP and, therefore,
  7673. does not have any accountability measures over the Flint WTP's LCR data
  7674. verification protocols. DEO's data verification protocol for lead and copper
  7675. water sampling is limited to verification that the WTP certifies samples
  7676. submitted to the State-owned laboratori es for analysis (see steps 7 and 1 2 in
  7677. the Fl int WTP LCR sampling process noted in Question 1 above) . We did not
  7678. identify any inst ances in which ODWMA staff failed to verify that submitted
  7679. samples were certified by t he Fl int WTP.
  7680. Q3: What accountability measures are in place for ODWMA staff who lie or
  7681. misrepresent information t o the EPA?
  7682. A: As with all classified employees, ODWMA staff must adhere to the rul es and
  7683. regul ations established by t he Michigan Civil Service Commission. If any
  7684. ODWMA staf(were determined to mi srepresent information to the EPA, they
  7685. would be subject to Civil Service Rule 2-6, Discipli ne, which allows an
  7686. appointing authority to discipline an employee for j ust cause up to and including
  7687. di smissal. We are not aware of any DEO-establ ished measures that are in
  7688. addition to the Civil Servi ce Rules.
  7689. We gained access t o the e-mail accounts of key DEQ management (DEQ
  7690. Director, Deputy Direct or, ODWMA Chief , and other key ODWMA staff)
  7691. ext ending back t o January 1, 2013. We did so to identify t he key decision
  7692. points and conversati ons that occurred leading up to and through the situation in
  7693. Flint. Our review was also intended to det ermine whether State, Flint, or other
  7694. officials at tempted t o conceal key test results or ot her information.
  7695. We noted one e-mail exchange between DEQ and t he EPA that appears to be a
  7696. significant contributor to the concern that DEQ misrepresented information to
  7697. t he EPA. The EPA requested clarification on February 26, 2015 regarding the
  7698. type of optimized corrosion control treatment the Flint WTP was using. DEQ
  7699. responded on February 27, 20'15 that the cit y had an optimized corrosion
  7700. cont rol program in place, but DEQ did not provide any program detai ls. DEQ
  7701. informed us. t hat the Flint WTP corrosion control program included performing
  7702. Page 2
  7703. I
  7704. I
  7705. I
  7706. I
  7707. I
  7708. I
  7709. I
  7710. lead and copper monitoring for two consecutive six-month periods to determine
  7711. whether corrosion control treatment would be necessary in the future.
  7712. However, it appears the EPA interpreted corrosion control program to mean that
  7713. corrosion control treatment was being performed.
  7714. On April 23, 2015, the EPA again inquired as to what the Flint WTP was doing
  7715. for corrosion control treatment. DEQ responded on April 24, 201 5 that the Flint
  7716. WTP was not practicing corrosion control treatment.
  7717. Based on our review of this and other e-mails, we have no specific reason to
  7718. believe that DEQ willfully misrepresented the information to the EPA.
  7719. Q.4: What policies do DEQ and ODWMA have in place to escalate major infractions up
  7720. the chain of command?
  7721. A: We did not note any instances of major infractions (i.e., intentional disregard o.f
  7722. policies, laws, regulations or specific directions) committed by DEQ staff during
  7723. t he course of our review. DEQ does not have a formal policy or procedure in
  7724. place to escalate major infractions performed by ODWMA employees; however,
  7725. our review of DEQ correspondence confirmed the escalation of key issues up the
  7726. chain of command related to the Flint situation. DEQ stated that its informal
  7727. pol icy is for staff to notify the proper level of management of infractions to
  7728. determine necessary action.
  7729. Page 3
  7730. OAG ..    
  7731. Office of the Audltor General _ • •
  7732. Application of the LCR
  7733. Q 1: How did the Flint WTP become the primary water supplier for the City of Flint?
  7734. A: Upon notification of the City of Flint's plans to switch to the l<aregnondi Water
  7735. Authority (I<WA) in April 2013, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Depart ment
  7736. (DWSD) submitted a letter to the City of Flint stating that it would terminate its
  7737. agreement to provide water services on April 17, 2014:
  7738. According to DEQ management, the Flint WTP attempted to negotiate with the
  7739. DWSD to maintain it as the City of Flint water suppl ier; however, after
  7740. negotiations were unsuccessful, the City of Flint notified DEQ through a permit
  7741. request of its intent to operate the Flint WTP full time using the Flint River.
  7742. Although the Flint City Council voted in March 2013 in support of moving to the
  7743. I<WA pipeline, the vote was silent on the use of the Flint River as a temporary
  7744. drinking water source.
  7745. DEQ informed us that in the 1990s, the City of Flint upgraded the Flint WTP to
  7746. serve as a backup source of water for emergencies. In 2006, the Flint WTP
  7747. began quarterly testing of the treated Flint River water at the Flint WTP to
  7748. ensure water quality standards were met; however, the Flint WTP did not test
  7749. the water's effect on the distribution system at consumer tap locations.
  7750. 02. Did DEQ consult with the EPA prior to determining how to apply the LCR?
  7751. A: DEQ did not consult with the EPA on how to apply the LCR prior to
  7752. implementing two consecutive six-month monitoring periods of the Flint WTP
  7753. beginning July 1, 2014. Based on past experiences applying the LCR monitoring
  7754. requirements, DEQ believed that it had appropriately applied the LCR
  7755. requirements of a large water system.
  7756. 03: When Flint switched to the Flint River water source, should corrosion control
  7757. treatment have been maintained?
  7758. A: We believe that corrosion control treatment should have been maintained.
  7759. According to the LCR, a water syst em can achieve optimized corrosion control if
  7760. it submits results of tap water monitoring for t wo consecutive six-month
  7761. monitoring per.iods with accept abl e lead levels. However, a water system that
  7762. has optimized corrosion control, and which has treatment in place, should
  7763. continue to operate and maintain optimal corrosion control t reatment.
  7764. DEQ staff explained t hat they did not treat the switch to Flint River water as a
  7765. new system, but as a new sour ce. DEQ further stated that because the Flint
  7766. River was a new water source and there was a change in chemicals needed to
  7767. t reat the new source, a corrosion control study was needed to determine the
  7768. impact on the water distribution system. Therefore, it was DEQ's interpretation
  7769. that t wo rounds of six-month monitoring were still needed to evaluate the wat er
  7770. quality and determine optimal corrosion control treatment.
  7771. Page 4
  7772. The Flint water system had optimal corrosion control t reatment when the DV\(SD
  7773. WTP was the   supplier. Based on our review of notes .from ·a July 21,
  7774. 2015 EPA and DEQ conference call on DEQ's impl ementation of the LCR
  7775. regarding whether the Flint WTP should have continued to maintain corrosion
  7776. control treatment, it appeared that the EPA did not agree .with DEQ's
  7777. interpretation of the LCR. Region 5 EPA staff explained that they would tall< to
  7778. the EPA headquarters about the interpretation of regulations and beli eves that
  7779. systems that have been deemed optimized need to "maintain" corrosion control.
  7780. The Region agreed to provide supporting regulatory citations for the language
  7781. about maintaining corrosion control.
  7782. On November 3, 2015, the EPA issued a memorandum stating that the LCR had
  7783. differing possible interpretations; however, the EPA concluded that it is
  7784. important for large water systems to take the steps necessary to ensure that
  7785. appropriate corrosion control treatment is maintained at all times, thus ensuring
  7786. that public health is protected. Based on t his clarification, it appears that
  7787. corrosion control treatment should have been maintained.
  7788. 04: Should DEQ have required the Flint WTP to start pursuing optimized corrosion
  7789. control treatment after the first round of sampling results were above the
  7790. lead action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb)?
  7791. A: Yes. According to DEO's appli cation of the LCR, within six months after the
  7792. end of the monitoring period in which the water sample results exceeded the
  7793. acceptable lead level, DEO should have required the Flint WTP to start pursuing
  7794. optimized corrosion control treatment.
  7795. The LCR stat es that the lead action level is exceeded if the lead level, as
  7796. determined by the 90th percentile cal culation, is greater than 1 5 ppb. If the
  7797. lead action level is exceeded, water systems are required to take additional
  7798. actions including educating the public about lead in drinking water as well as
  7799. commencing lead service line repl acement if the water system has already
  7800. installed corrosion control and/or source water treatment. However, for water
  7801. systems that have not yet implemented corrosion control treatment, they can be
  7802. deemed to have optimi zed corrosi on control without installing treatment if they
  7803. can demonstrate lead levels below 5 ppb for two consecutive periods.
  7804. The f irst round of six-month sampling results was received in late March 2015.
  7805. Because the results were 1 ppb over the lead action level of 5 ppb, DEO would
  7806. not be able to achieve two consecutive six-month periods below 5 ppb.
  7807. Therefore, DEQ should have notified the Flint WTP to start pursuing optimized
  7808. corrosion control treatment. However, DEQ waited until the second round of
  7809. sampl ing was completed (June 30, 2015) to assess whether water sample
  7810. results improved.
  7811. Water Samples ·
  7812. 05: Did DEQ verify that only tier 1 sample sites were selected by the Flint WTP in the
  7813. two rounds of six-month samples?
  7814. A: DEO. did not verify that only tier 1 sample sites were selected. DEQ reli es on
  7815. the Flint WTP' s certification of sample sites and does not perform any
  7816. independent verification of those certifications.
  7817. Page 5
  7818. In a November 19, 2015 Flint Journal arti cle, the Flint WTP indicated that it did
  7819. not have the ability to ensure that all sites were t ier 1 . In fact, water samples
  7820. came from the random distribution of 175 testing bottl es without regard for
  7821. whether t he homes were at risk for high lead levels. DEO issued a formal
  7822. memorandum on November 9, 2015 requesting that the Flint WTP verify the
  7823. classifi cation of all prior sampl e items. The results are due back from the Flint
  7824. WTP on December 30, 2015 .
  7825. 06: DEQ   r o p p ~   two water sampling sites from its second six-month sample
  7826. (January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015). Was this appropriate?
  7827. A: Yes, it was appropriate for DEQ to drop these two water sampling sites. Federal
  7828. regulation 40 CFR 141.86(a) states:
  7829. 11
  7830. ••• each water system shall complete a materials evaluation
  7831. of its distribution system in order to identify a pool of targeted
  7832. sampling sites that meets the ·requirements of this section . ..
  7833. All sites from which first draw samples are collect ed shall be
  7834. selected from this pool ... Sampling sites may not include
  7835. faucets that have point-of -use or point-of-entry treatment
  7836. devices designed t o remove inorganic contaminants.
  7837. 11
  7838. This regulation also requires that a water system' s targeted sampling pool
  7839. consist of only tier 1 sampling sites if an adequat e number is available to meet
  7840. monitoring requirements.
  7841. According to federal regulation 40 CFR 141 .86(f), the State may invalidate a
  7842. water sample if it determines that the sample was taken from a site that did not
  7843. meet the site selection criteri a. A sample invalidated per this regulation does
  7844. not count t oward determining l ead or copper 90th percentile levels or toward
  7845. meeting the minimum monitoring requirements.
  7846. DEO dropped one water sample site from its 90th percentil e calculations
  7847. because the site was f rom a business that does not meet the t ier 1 requirements
  7848. of being a single-family or multipl e-family residence. The second sample site
  7849. was dropped because the home had a point-of-entry treatment device to filter
  7850. cont aminants. Based on the criteri a specified above, it appears t hat DEQ' s
  7851. rationale for dropping the samples from these two sites appropriately met the
  7852. requirements for inval idating. samples per federal regul ation 40 CFR 141.86.
  7853. 07: Was flushing of the taps the night before drawing a sample an appropriate sample
  7854. methodology?
  7855. A: Yes. The LCR requires that samples be a first draw of water after six hours of
  7856. st agnation. The LCR does not indi cate whether or not t he water line should be
  7857. f lushed prior to collecting the sample. In the sample instructions, DEQ required
  7858. preflushing to ensure that sampled faucets were not stagnant for an excessive
  7859. period of t ime beyond the targeted six hours (e.g., rarely used f aucet s or when a
  7860. homeowner has been gone for an ext ended period of t ime. )
  7861. The LCR requires six hours of stagnation; however, it does not preclude DEQ
  7862. from instructing residents to flush prior to stagnation.
  7863. Page 6
  7864. 0
  7865. 1 AG ..
  7866. n · Sample Locations (Exhibit #1)
  7867. In calendar year 1 992, the Flint WTP established a ti er 1 sample site pool for LCR
  7868. monitoring. With the change to the Flint River water, the Flint WTP needed to increase the
  7869. _pool of sample locations because of additional sampling requirements. The following ·
  7870. exhibit documents the 2014 and 2015 sample locations for LCR monitoring. Based on the
  7871. data obtained during our review, we could not determine how the locations were selected
  7872. or whether they were properly classified as tier 1 sample sites.
  7873. As noted in Question 5 of the additional questions answered by the OAG, DEQ has
  7874. requested the Flint WTP to verify the tier 1 cl?ssification of all prior sample items.
  7875. •
  7876. ••
  7877.  
  7878. •
  7879. 48504
  7880. '• j,
  7881. 48505
  7882. ••
  7883. •
  7884.  
  7885. (
  7886. •
  7887. 48506
  7888. .. .
  7889. •••
  7890. ···L...----.,.
  7891. t -:::-,.,) .,
  7892. L_ .
  7893. 'f . .,
  7894.  
  7895. •
  7896. •
  7897. •••
  7898. •
  7899. .. . ,;
  7900. .,•"'• .
  7901. oi J ..
  7902. ' .
  7903. • • .
  7904. •
  7905. •
  7906. t
  7907. 0 Samples taken in 2014
  7908. e Sample t aken in 2014 outside of city limits.
  7909. 0 Samples taken in 2015
  7910. e Samples taken in 2014 and 2015
  7911. Source: The OAG prepared this map using dat a obtained from DEQ and contri butors
  7912. (opendatacommons. org) . The sample locat i ons are approximote.
  7913. Page 7
  7914.       . OA        
  7915. o
  7916. m .
  7917. 1
  7918. d·. 5 Parts Per Billion or Higher (Exhibit #2)
  7919. . cc ol't1eA.u ttorGcncml __            
  7920. This exhibit documents the 2014 and 2015 sample locations with lead counts of 5 ppb or
  7921. higher. This information is used in aggregate by DEQ to determine if the city has optimized
  7922. lead levels.
  7923. •
  7924.  
  7925. •
  7926. •
  7927. •
  7928. 8 Samples taken in 2014
  7929. Samples taken in 201 5
  7930. • ••
  7931. •
  7932. e Samples taken in 2014 and 2015, with only
  7933. high levels of lead in 2015
  7934. Source: The OAG prepared this map using data obtained from DEQ and
  7935. 0
  7936. 0penStreetMap contributors
  7937. (opendatacommons.org). The sample locations are approximate.
  7938. Page 8
  7939. .. .. · .: ..  
  7940. 1 Time Period and Zip Code (Exhibit #3)
  7941. ·-- Office ,oft l C Auditor Gcner:tl --- a
  7942. This chart expands on Exhibit 111 to show a summary by zip code and time of selection
  7943. within the sampling period. Based on the data obtained during our review, we could not
  7944. determine if t he lateness of selection within the monitoring period affected t he
  7945. appropriateness of the sample items.
  7946. 40
  7947. 37
  7948. .48532
  7949. 35 0 48507
  7950. Cl48506
  7951. 30
  7952. 1:148505
  7953. 0 48504
  7954. 25
  7955. a 48503
  7956. D 48502
  7957. 20
  7958. 15
  7959. 10
  7960. 5
  7961. 0
  7962. 0
  7963. January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015
  7964. Source: The OAG prepared thi s chart using data obtained from DEQ.
  7965. Page 9
  7966. This chart expands on Exhibit #1 to show a summary by zip code and time of selection
  7967. within the sampling period. Based on the data obtained during our review, we could not
  7968. determine if the lateness of selection within t he monitoring period affected the
  7969. appropriateness of the sample items.
  7970. 100
  7971. 94
  7972. 90
  7973. 80
  7974. 70
  7975. 60
  7976. 50
  7977. 40
  7978. 30
  7979. 20
  7980. 10
  7981. 0 0
  7982. 0
  7983. 0
  7984. 0
  7985. July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014
  7986. Source: The OAG prepared this chart using data obtained from DEQ.
  7987. Page 10
  7988. Octob., 1, 2015
  7989. • Michigon Oepor.rnent of
  7990. Hedlh and Hvman S<rvic=
  7991. confirms rcst.Jil:!; of Hur1oy
  7992. Medical Center stu:::ly.
  7993. • City of ursos residents
  7994. to not d1ink water.
  7995. Octt>bo:t 8; 2015 I
  7996. Jomt.-ary 1. 2015
  7997. City of F!jm: develops ploo to
  7998. OEO begins the second six-"""'th
  7999. recon.,_-ct :o OWSO.
  8000. Flint il>ad/copper perio:i
  8001. I
  8002. Octt>b:r 16, 2015
  8003. Januory 12.2015
  8004. August 17.2015
  8005. City of Flint recoc-.nec:sto DWSD.
  8006. OWSOoffers the City of F!jm: a
  8007. July 2014 I oro notifies the Ant WTP of the
  8008. woiver of the S4 milion
  8009. Oc:tober 19, 2015
  8010. DEObegins the r.m si>«noooh Rint
  8011. I
  8012. reconnecticn fee to switch to
  8013. soccnd six-month lez:ficcpp:r
  8014. lead/copper mcnttoring period.
  8015. Detroit water.
  8016. May28,2015
  8017. monitoring results. D:O Director DanWyant states:
  8018. Somple results from 1l1e " .•. steff made a mistake whlle
  8019. January 29, 2015 March 30, 2015
  8020. noted wid> high levels
  8021. August 23, 2015
  8022. working with the city of Rint.
  8023. I
  8024. Mi<!·March 2014
  8025. I
  8026. en nbruary 26, 2015 shew Srnply stot&J, sraif employed a
  8027. nrn City Councl v:rted 7-1,. City of Aint en'.ergency manager DEQn:nilies t1e F!jm:WfP of leed levels look good after. vrg;n;o Tech rese..-.:her noti!ies federal !!Xllr.lSDn ccntrcll pmtoa:l
  8028. join Karegoondi Water Authority I City of F!jm:decides10 usethe Jerry Ambrese declines DWSD the forst six-month le>dlccpper new copper service li1c
  8029. DEO,;,at he wll besin a sttJdy of tr.ay believed was apptt)ptiall!,
  8030. IKWAl. AimRiver as a water source. water source reconnection. monitorTng period, insnllletion. tlu> City oi Flint water quality: ;)nd it \"'aS not.•
  8031. I I l · I I J I
  8032. I
  8033. 2013
  8034. I
  8035. 2014-
  8036. I
  8037. 20 15
  8038. I I I I I - I I
  8039. April16,2013
  8040. L
  8041. April25.Z014
  8042. J
  8043. FebNary 3, 2015 April24, 2015 July 21,2015 Sep!<mber 2, 2015 November 3, 2015
  8044. I
  8045. C"ltyof Rim emergcn..'")l I City of Rint switches to Frutt
  8046. I
  8047. Govemor Snvd<!r awa<ds the City 0:0 indicares no corrosion con-.rol The E?A ond DEQ hold Vlrllinia Tech researcllcr dams
  8048. The E?A ind"re.otes diffe:ing I
  8049. monoger Ed Kunz .si;no River water. of flint $2 milicn u: find le.>lcs lind (cnhophcsphate) chemical in confere.-.ce coli on DEQ's that :he ccrrosNeness of t1u> Aint possible irr.erJntz"".ions of :he LCR
  8050. z;reemerrt 10 sv.ritch from teplace wasteWater inc:i'\emor. pio<:e Cuealment). implementation of the Leod end v.rr.er Is causing lcz.d tO le!Ch r.to wilh r=to how t!1e LCR's
  8051. DetrcitWmer end Sevveregc: Ccpper Rule (LCR) ond Rin' residents' water. optimal corrcS:on contrtX
  8052. Dep!rvnent (DWSD) wmer Issues, apply to 'this 1
  8053. source to 'tCWA
  8054. FebnJ><Y 26, 2015 Septmlber 2<0, 2015
  8055. ::ituotion !now w=r sou:ce/new I
  8056. vr.nertreatmenO.
  8057. April17,2013
  8058. The E?A discusses a resicfem's H<.<ley Mod"o=<l c.m.r study
  8059. water sample testi:lg res:Jits wilh
  8060. isslled showing high bleed load
  8061. DWSDsal:lltwm stOP seUing DEQ(high lev1!ls of lead fo\J!1d in L, City of Flint chudrcn.
  8062. \I'V2ter10 1h City of Aint in watert.
  8063.  
  8064. FebriJ:Jry ZJ, 2015
  8065. DEQ rospcnded 1D 111e EPA saying
  8066. that the Frrn WTP has "'
  8067. optimimd COJT:)Si'Oil control
  8068. progr.rn.
  8069. Source: ihe OAG prepared this 'time rine using dat., meet!n; notes, letters)' obtained ftom DEQ, newspaper and release erticles, tt1e Flintwaterstudy.org, lind the Hurley   Center survey resutts.
  8070. ?ose
  8071. From: Ken Sikkema [mailto:l<sikkema@pscinc.com]
  8072. Sent: Tuesday, Decem 12:26 PM
  8073. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  8074. Cc: Chris Kolb <chris@environmenta Davis <mattdav@med.umich.edu>; Eric Rothstein
  8075. <erothste@grg-ltd.com>; Lawrence Reynolds <reynolds@mottchc.org>
  8076. Subject: Attached Letter from Flint Water Advisory Task Force
  8077. Dear Govemor:
  8078. The Flint Water Advisory Task Force, which you appointed on October 21,2015, has devoted considerable
  8079. time and eff01t to our review ofthe contamination of the Flint Water supply. Ow: focus has been on assessing
  8080. what happened, why it happened, and what is needed to prevent any recunence in Flint or elsewhere in the
  8081. state. We have also, as you know, been assessing mitigation efforts.
  8082. Attached is a letter rep01ting our finding as to who bears the primary responsibility for what happened in Flint.
  8083. We are sending this letter now .because it has become clear to us that ascribing responsibility and ensuring
  8084. accountability is both critical and mgent, and simply crumot wait for om fmal report. Establishing responsibility
  8085. and accountability is the :J:irst step in re-establishing the trust between the citizens of Flint and their government
  8086. and the agencies whose responsibility it is to protect their health. The current level of distrust also serves to
  8087. compromise the effective delivery of protected services designed to address ongoing public health issues.
  8088. Thank you for the support you have given us and your demonstrated conunitment to respond to om· findings and
  8089. recommendations.
  8090. On behalf of the Task Force
  8091. Ken Sikkema
  8092. KenSHckema
  8093. Senior Polley Fellow
  8094. l)ublic Sector Consultants
  8095. PH:  
  8096. ksikl{ema@pscinc.corri
  8097. 1
  8098. December 29, 2015
  8099. Dear Governor Snyder:
  8100. The Flint Water Advisory Task Force, which you appointed on October 21, 2015, has devoted
  8101. considerable effort and countless hours to our review of the contamination of the Flint water supply:
  8102. what happened, why It occurred, and what is needed to prevent a recurrence in Flint or elsewhere in
  8103. the state. We have also been assessing ongoing mitigation efforts to help assure that short- and long-
  8104. 'term public health issues and water management concerns will be properly addressed to safeguard the
  8105. health and well being of the Flint community.
  8106. Shortly after we began our work, we recognized the immediate need for better coordination of the
  8107. state's response to the ongoing public health Issues in Flint, and for assignment of a single person to
  8108. provide this coordination. We addressed these concerns in a letter to you on December 7, 2015, and you
  8109. responded with Immediate adoption of these recommendations. We thank you for the commitment
  8110. your response demonstrates.
  8111. In our continuing efforts, we have now interviewed numerous individuals at state and local l evels;
  8112. reviewed many documents, articles, and emails; and deliberated repeatedly as a group. Both individually
  8113. and as a group, we have visited Flint several times during the past several weeks to meet with citizens,
  8114. public health officials and healthcare   Individuals who have water management
  8115. responsibilities at the city and county l evels, and other public officials.
  8116. It Is clear to us, particularly as we listen to t he people of Flint, that It Is both critical and urgent to
  8117. establish responsibility for what happened in t heir community and to ensure accountability. This is a
  8118. first step in a long process to re-establish the trust they no longer have in their government and the
  8119. agencies whose responsibility it is to protect their health. It is urgent because this deep distrust of
  8120. government continues to compromise the effective delivery of protective services designed to address
  8121. ongoing public health issues. It is for these reasons that we are sending this letter at this time.
  8122. We believe the primary responsibility for what happened in Flint rests with the Michigan Department
  8123. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Although many individuals and entities at state and local levels
  8124. contributed to creating and prolonging the problem, MDEQ is the government agency that has
  8125. responsibility to ensure safe drinking water in Michigan. It failed in that responsibility and must be
  8126. held accountable for that failure.
  8127. The Safe Drinl.<ing Water Act (SDWA) places responsibility for compliance with its requirements on the
  8128. public water system. In this instance, the City of Flint had the responsibility to operate its water system
  8129. within SDWA requirements, under the jurisdiction ofthe MDEQ. The role of the MDEQ is to ensure
  8130. compliance with the SDWA through its regulatory oversight as the primary agency having enforcement
  8131. responsibility for the Flint water system.
  8132. The MDEQ failed in three fundamental ways.
  8133. Regulatory Failure
  8134. We believe that in the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance (ODWMA) at MDEQ, a culture
  8135. exists in which "technical compliance" is considered sufficient to ensure safe drinking water in Michigan.
  8136. This minimalist approach to regulatory and oversight responsibility is unacceptable and simply
  8137. insufficient to the task of public protection. It led to M DEQ's failure to recognize a number of indications
  8138. that switching the water source in Flint would- and did-compromise both water safety and water.
  8139. quality. The MDEQ made a number of decisions that were, and conti nue to be, justified on the basis that
  8140. federal rules "allowed" those decisions to be made. ODWMA must adopt a posture that is driven not by
  8141. this minimalist technical compliance approach, but rather by one that is founded on what needs to be
  8142. done to assure drinking water safety.
  8143. A culture change must occur within ODWMA. It must be driven by a mission that is aspirational
  8144. regarding the role of the MDEQ in ensuring the safety and the quality of Michigan's drinking water. We
  8145. believe, and have expressed to MDEQ Director Dan Wyant, that as a Great Lakes State, Michigan should
  8146. aspire to have the safest drinking water in the nation, rather than merely aimi ng for technical
  8147. compliance with regulatory requirements.
  8148. Failure In Substance and Tone of MDEQ Response to ·the Public
  8149. Throughout 2015, as the public raised concerns and as independent studies and testing were conducted
  8150. and brought to the attention of MDEQ, the agency's response was often one of aggressive dismissal,
  8151. belittlement, and attempts to discredit these efforts and the individuals involved. We f ind both the tone
  8152. and substance of many MDEQ public statements to be completely unacceptable. In a real way, the
  8153. MDEQ represents the public, including the very Individuals it t reated dismissively and disrespectfully In
  8154. public statements. We recognize that the agency might disagree with the opinions of others on a variety
  8155. of issues, including testing protocol, Interpretation of testing results, the requirements offederallaw
  8156. and rules, and other matters. What is disturbing about MDEQ's responses, however, is their persistent
  8157. tone of scorn and derision. In fact, the MDEQ seems to have been more determined to discredit the
  8158. work of others- who ultimately proved to be right-than to pursue Its own oversight responsibility.
  8159. Failure in MDEQ lnterpret(jtion of the Lead and Copper Rule
  8160. The federal ~ e   d and Copper Rule (LCR) is central to what happened in Flint, because that rule, at least
  8161. theoretically, is designed to prevent lead and copper contamination of dri nking water. The federal LCR
  8162. calls for "optimized corrosion control treatment," which the MDEQ did not require in the switch to the
  8163. Flint River. Prior to the switch, MDEQ staff instructed City of Flint water treatment staff that corrosion
  8164. control treatment (CCT) was not necessary until two six-month monitoring periods had been conducted.
  8165. The need for CCT would be evaluated after the results from t hose two monitoring periods were
  8166. reviewed. The decision not to require CCT, m\)de at the direction of the MDEQ, led directly to the
  8167. 'contamination of the Flint water system.
  8168. The MDEQ seems to have taken different positions on whether it faithfully followed the LCR in the Flint
  8169. situation. It f irst maintained that it followed the LCR, then st ated that it did not follow the rule properly,
  8170. and most recently claimed that a federal memorandum issued by t he US EPA in early November 2015
  8171. suggests that the original M DEQ interpretation was possibly correct.
  8172. We are not convinced. Even the MDEQ's latest interpretation of the US EPA's November memorandum
  8173. is overly legalistic and misunderstands the intent of the LCR, which is to minimize risks of lead and
  8174. copper exposure for human health.
  8175. We believe ODWMA's single-minded l egalistic focus is the heart of the problem, and it is part of the
  8176. "t echnical compliance" culture described above. ODWMA shoul d not be basing its actions solely on a
  8177. 2
  8178. legally possible interpretation of the LCR. It should be focusing on how to protect Michigan's citizens
  8179. from lead in drinl(ing water.
  8180. We met with MDEQ Director Wyant on December 16, 2015, to discuss these issues, as well as many
  8181. others. We note his substantial agreement with many of our conclusions, particularly as it relates to the
  8182. regulatory fail ure and the abysmal public response of his agency. It is our understanding that he has
  8183. drawn similar conclusions in his own evaluation of the MDEQ's role in the Flint water crisis. At the same
  8184. t ime, it was disappointing to hear his weak defense of the CCT decision based on the EPA's November
  8185. 2015 memorandum.
  8186. We are not finished with our work. Other individuals and entities made poor decisions, contributing to
  8187. and prolonging the contaminati on of the drinking water supply in Flint. As an example, we are
  8188. particularly concerned by recent revelations of MDHHS's apparent early knowledge of, yet silence
  8189. about , el evated blood lead levels detected among Fli nt' s children. We also feel it important to further
  8190. review local government decision processes un.der emergency management. Our final report will
  8191. highlight and discuss those concerns, among many others, to provide some context to a comprehensive
  8192. series of recommendations. As stated earli er in this letter, however, we believe that establishing
  8193. responsibility is a critical and urgent need, and one that should not walt for our final report in 2016.
  8194. Individuals and agencies responsible must be held accountable in a timely fashion.
  8195. It is our hope that the height ened awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning can be an opportunity to
  8196. make Michigan safer, particularly for its children. Drinking water must be recognized as a potential
  8197. source of health risk exposure when water lines and fixtures containing l.ead are disturbed or
  8198. compromised. Proper testing, not only in high-risk areas but also in faci lities serving children (e.g.,
  8199. schools), must be considered. Facilitating long-term financing of a model public health program, and
  8200. also replacement of lead-containing water service lines and fixt ures, would enable Michigan to realize a
  8201. positive lasting legacy from the t ragedy ofthe Flint water crisis. Our final report will address some of
  8202. t hese issues.
  8203. The City of Flint's water customers-fellow Michigan citizens-were needlessly and tragically exposed t o
  8204. toxic levels of lead through thei r drinking water supply. They deserve a commitment to properly assess
  8205. responsibility and ensure accountability. They also deserve a commitment to needed mitigation in both
  8206. the short and long t erm. The Flint water crisis never should have happened. Having failed to prevent it,
  8207. state government should coordinate a sust ained, public-health-focused response to remedy, to the
  8208. fullest ext ent possible, the Impacts on the Flint community.
  8209. Respectfully yours,
  8210. Flint Water Advisory Task Force:
  8211. Matt Davis
  8212. Chris l<olb
  8213. Larry Reynolds
  8214. Eric Rothstein
  8215. l(en Sikkema
  8216. 3
  8217. From: Agen, Jarrod (GOV)
  8218. Sent: Monday, December 28, 2015 8:25 PM
  8219. To: Snyder, Rick (GOV) .-.,
  8220. Cc: Baird, Richard   Allison (GOV) <scotta12@michigan.gov>; Clement, Elizabeth
  8221. (GOV) <clemente@michigan.gov>
  8222. Subject: Flint letter
  8223. Governor,
  8224. Attached is a letter from the Flint Water Task Force which will be f01mally sent to you tomonow. The Task
  8225. Force then plans to release this letter publicly on Wednesday morning.
  8226. You will see the letter is harsh DEQ.
  8227. Rich, Redford, Harvey, Meegan, and myself all just gathered on a conference call to discliss our upcoming
  8228. actions regarding Flint. While we don't think this letter should change any of our actions, we agreed we may
  8229. need to accelerate some of the structural changes at DEQ.
  8230. Our suggestions:
  8231. 1) Mah:e structural changes at DEQ as early as tomorrow: The recommendations in this letter suggest
  8232. profound change at DEQ and openly criticize Director Wyant. If this is the path that the Task Force is on, it is
  8233. best to make changes at DEQ sooner rather than later. That likely means accepting Dan's resignation. It also
  8234. means moving up the termination of the 3 DEQ personal previously planned for Jan 4 to tomorrow.
  8235. 2) Still do statement tomol'l'OW from you regarding Flint: This statement will be slightly revised by Meegan
  8236. to acknowledge we received feedback fmm the Task Force and reiterate that we created the Task Force with the
  8237. intent of getting honest independent feedback. More importantly, if we are making changes at DEQ, they can
  8238. also be announced in the statement.
  8239. ·rr you have a moment, it is probably best that Rich & I discuss with you over the phone tomorrow
  8240. rooming. But I wanted to get you some of our thinking tonight.
  8241. Let me lmow if there is a good time to discuss tomorrow.
  8242. Thanks
  8243. Janod
  8244. 1
  8245. Dear Governor Snyder:
  8246. The Flint Water Advisory Task Force, which you appointed on October 21, 2015, has devot ed
  8247. considerable effort and countless hours to our review of the contaminat ion of the Flint water supply:
  8248. what happened, why it occurred, and what is needed to prevent a recurrence in Flint or elsewhere in
  8249. t he stat e. We have also been assessing ongoing mitigation efforts to help assure t hat short- and long-
  8250. term public health issues and water management concerns will be properly addressed t o safeguard the
  8251. health and well being of the Flint community.
  8252. Shortly after we began our work, we recognized the immediate need for better coordination ofthe
  8253. state's response to the ongoing public health issues in Flint, and for assignment of a single person t o
  8254. provide this coordination. We a'ddressed these concerns in a letter to you on December 7, 2015, and you
  8255. responded with immediate adoption of these recommendations. We thank you for the commitment
  8256. your response demonstrates.
  8257. In our continuing efforts, we have now intervi ewed numerous individuals at stat e and local levels;
  8258. reviewed many documents, articles, and emails; and deliberated repeatedly as a group. Both i ndividually
  8259. and as a group, we have visited Flint several times during the past several weeks to meet with citizens,
  8260. publi c health officials and healthcare providers, 'individuals who have water management
  8261. responsibilities at t he city and county levels, and other publ!c officials.
  8262. It is clear to us, particularly as we listen to the people of Fli nt, that it is both critical and urgent to
  8263. establish responsibility for what happened in their and to ensure accountability. This is a
  8264. first step in a long process to re-establish the trust they no longer have in their government and the
  8265. agencies whose responsibility it is to protect their health. It is urgent because this deep distrust of
  8266. government continues to compromise the effective delivery of protective services designed to address
  8267. ongoing public health issues. It is for these reasons that we are sending this letter at this time.
  8268. We believe the primary responsibility for what happened in Flint rests with the Michigan Department
  8269. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Although many individuals and ·entities at state and local levels
  8270. contributed to creating and prolonging the problem, MDEQ is the government agency that has
  8271. responsibility to ensure safe drinking water in Michigan. It failed in that responsibility and must be
  8272. held accountable for that failure.
  8273. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) places responsibility for compliance with its requirements on the
  8274. public water system. In this instance, the City of Flint had the responsibility to operate it s water system
  8275. within SDWA requirements, under the jurisdiction of the MDEQ . . The role of the MDEQ is to ensure
  8276. compliance with the SDWA through its regul atory oversight as the primary agency having enforcement
  8277. responsibility for the Flint water syst em.
  8278. The MDEQ failed in three fundamental ways.
  8279. Regulatory Failure
  8280. We believe that in t he Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance (ODWMA) at MDEQ, a culture
  8281. exist s in which "technical compliance" is considered sufficient to ensure safe drinking water in Michigan.
  8282. This minimalist approach to regulatory and oversight responsibi lity is unacceptable and simply
  8283. insufficient to the task of public protection. It led to MDEQ's failure to recognize a number of indications
  8284. I
  8285. I
  8286. I
  8287. I
  8288. I
  8289. I
  8290. I
  8291. I
  8292. I
  8293. that switching the water o u r   ~ in Flint would-and did-compromise both water safety and water
  8294. quality. The MDEQ made a number of decisions that were, and continue to be, justified on the basis that
  8295. federal rules "allowed" those decisions to be made. ODWMA must adopt a posture that is driven not by
  8296. this minimalist technical compliance approach, but rather by one that is founded on what needs to be
  8297. done to assure drinking water safety.
  8298. A culture change must occur within ODWMA. It must be driven by a mission that is aspirational
  8299. regarding the role of the MDEQ in ensuring the safety and the quality of Michigan's drinking water. We
  8300. believe, and have expressed to MDEQ Director Dan Wyant, that as a Great Lakes State, Mi<;higan should
  8301. aspire to have the safest drinking water in the nation, rather than merely aiming for technical
  8302. compliance with regulatory requirements.
  8303. Failure in Substance and Tone of MDEQ Response to the Public
  8304. Throughout 2015, as the public raised concerns and as independent studies and testing were conducted
  8305. and brought to the attention of MDEQ, the agency's response was often one of aggressive dismissal,
  8306. belittlement, and attempts to discredit these efforts and the individuals involved. We find both the tone
  8307. and substance of many MDEQ public statements to be completely unacceptable. In a real way, the
  8308. MDEQ represents the public, including the very individuals it treated dismissively and disrespectfully in
  8309. public statements. We recognize that the agency might disagree with the opinions of others on a variety
  8310. of issues, including testing protocol, interpretation of testing results, the requirements offederallaw
  8311. and rules, and other matters. What is disturbing about MDEQ's responses, however, is their persistent
  8312. tone of scorn and derision. In fact, the MDEQ seems to have been more determined to discredit the
  8313. work of others-who ultimately proved to be right-than to pursue its own oversight responsibility.
  8314. Failure in MDEQ Interpretation of the lead and Copper Rule
  8315. The federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is central to what happened in Flint, because that rule, at least
  8316. theoretically, is designed to prevent lead and copper contaminat ion of drinking water. The federal LCR
  8317. calls for "optimized corrosion control treatment/' which the MDEQ did not require in the switch to the
  8318. Flint River. Prior to the switch, MDEQ staff instructed City of Flint water treatment staff that corrosion
  8319. control treatment (CCT) was not necessary until two six-month monitoring periods had been conducted.
  8320. The need for CCT would be ·evaluated after the results from those two monitoring periods were
  8321. reviewed. The decision not to require CCT, made at the direction of the M DEQ, led directly to the
  8322. contamination of the Flint water system.
  8323. The MDEQ seems to have taken different positions on whether it faithfully followed the LCR in the Flint
  8324. situat ion. It first maintained that it followed the LCR, then stated that it did not follow the rule properly,
  8325. and most recently claimed that a federal memorandum issued by the US EPA in early November 2.015
  8326. suggests that the original MDEQ interpretation was possibly correct.
  8327. We are not convinced. Even the MDEQ's latest interpretation of the US EPA's November memorandum
  8328. is overly legalistic and misunderstands the intent efthe LCR, which is to minimize risks of lead and
  8329. 1
  8330. copper exposure for human health.
  8331. We believe ODWMA's single-minded legalistic focus is the heart of the problem, and it is part of the
  8332. "technical compliance" culture described above. ODWMA shoul d not be basing its actions solely on a
  8333. legally possible interpretation of the LCR. It should be focusing on how to protect Michigan's citizens
  8334. from lead in drinl<ing water.
  8335. We met with MDEQ Director Wyant on December 16, 2015, to discuss these issues, as well as many
  8336. others. We note his substantial agreement with many of our conclusions, particularly as it relates to the
  8337. regulatory failure and the abysmal public response of his agency. It is our understanding that he has
  8338. drawn similar conclusions in his own evaluation of the MDEQ's role in the Flint water crisis. At the same
  8339. time, it was disappointing to hear his weak defense of the CCT decision based on the EPA's November
  8340. 2015 memorandum.
  8341. We are not finished with our work. other individuals and entities made poor decisions, contributing to
  8342. and prolonging the contamination of the drinking water supply in Flint. As an example, we are
  8343. particularly concerned by recent revelations of MDHHS's apparent early knowledge of, yet silence
  8344. about, elevated blood lead levels detected among Flint's children. We also feel it important to further
  8345. revi ew local government decision processes under emergency m a n a ~ e m e n t   Our final report will
  8346. highlight and discuss those concerns, among many others, to provide some context to a comprehensive
  8347. series of recommendations. As stated earlier in this letter, however, we believe that establishing
  8348. responsibility is a critical and urgent need, and one that should not wait for our final report in 2016.
  8349. Individuals and agencies responsible must be held accountable in a timely fashion.
  8350. It is our hope that the heightened awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning can be an opportunity to
  8351. make Michigan safer, particularly for its children. Drinking water must be recognized as a potential
  8352. source of health risk exposure when water lines and fixtures containing lead are disturbed or
  8353. compromised. Proper testing, not only in high-risk areas but also in facilities serving children (e.g.,
  8354. schools), must be considered. Facilitating long-term financing of a model public health program, and
  8355. also replacement of lead-containi ng water service lines and fixtures, would enable Michigan to realize a
  8356. positive lasting legacy from the tragedy of the Flint water crisis. Our final report will address some of
  8357. these issues.
  8358. The City of Flint's water customers-fellow Michigan citizens-were needlessly and tragically exposed to
  8359. toxic levels of lead through their drinking water supply. They deserve a commitment to properly assess
  8360. responsibility and ensure accountability. They also deserve a commitment to needed mitigation in both
  8361. the short and long term. The Flint water crisis never should have happened. Havi ng failed to prevent it,
  8362. state government should coordinate a sustained, public-health-focused response to remedy, to the
  8363. fullest extent possible, the impacts on the Flint community.
  8364. Respectfully yours,
  8365. Flint Water Advisory Task Force:
  8366. l<en Sikkema
  8367. Chris l<olb
  8368. Matt Davis
  8369. Larry Reynolds
  8370. Eric Rothstein
  8371. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  8372. From:
  8373. Sent:
  8374. To:
  8375. Subject:
  8376. Holland, Meegan (GOV)
  8377. Tuesday, December 29, 2015 1:32 PM
  8378. Snyder, Rick (GOV)
  8379. The Flint water statement
  8380. Here is the st atement. It' s going to senior and executive staff, plus directors, very soon. It will go t o t he media around
  8381. 2:30p.m.
  8382. Rich will respond t o the task force in person at tomorrow' s task force meeting. We don' t plan a written response;
  8383. however, I'll be compiling talking points from vari ous senior staff f or Rich.
  8384. The statement:
  8385. When I became aware that the city of Flint's water showed elevated lead levels and that the stat e's handling of the
  8386. situation was being questioned, I request ed funding t o switch the source back t o the Great Lakes Water Authority and
  8387. appointed an independent t ask force to identify possible missteps and areas for improvement.
  8388. The t ask force has done an exceptional job, reviewing st acks of documents and interviewing scores of Flint, Genesee
  8389. County, state and federal offi cials.
  8390. Although the t ask force's final report is not yet completed, it has made me aware of some interim fi ndings and
  8391. correcti ve steps that I have decided to t ake immediately in order to restore t rust in how the state keeps its citizens safe
  8392. and informed.
  8393. We'll continue to work with the community members t o make sure we hear and respond to t heir concerns.
  8394. In addition, MDEQ Director Dan Wyant has offered his resignation, and I've determined that it's appropriate to accept it.
  8395. I'm also maki ng other personnel changes at MDEQ to address problems cited by the task force.
  8396. But changes in leadership and staff are not enough. I understand there can be disagreements within the scientific
  8397. community. That is why I have directed both the departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services
  8398. t o invite every external scientist who has worked on this issue to be our partners in helping us improve Flint water. Let's
  8399. share research on wat er and blood lead level testing so we can arrive at accurate and mutually supported
  8400. conclusions. Together, we should work to affirm that we're using the very best testing protocols to ensure Fli nt
  8401. residents have safe drinking water and that we're taking steps t o protect their health over the short and long term.
  8402. I want the Flint community t o know how very sorry I am that this has happened. And I want all Michigan citizens to know
  8403. that we will learn from this experience, because Flint is not the only cit y that has an aging infrastructure.
  8404. I know many Flint citizens are angry and want more than an apology. That's why I'm taking the actions today to ensure a
  8405. culture of openness and trust. We've already allocated $10 mill ion to test the water, distribute water f ilters, and help in
  8406. other ways. Last week, I called Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, and we' re going to meet soon t o discuss other ways the stat e
  8407. can offer assistance.
  8408. These are only initial steps- we full y expect to take more actions following t he recommendations of our task force.
  8409. When it comes to matters of health and quality of life, we' re committed to doing everything we can to protect the well-
  8410. being of our citizens.
  8411. 1
  8412. Meegan Holland
  8413. Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder
  8414. Office: 517-335-6397
  8415. Mobile: 517-420-2714
  8416. Twitter: @meholland
  8417. 2
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