Update for Residents

Flint residents should continue to use filtered or bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. Make sure your filter is properly certified and installed.

Update on Water Quality

Lead levels in Flint’s drinking water system continue to improve. EPA has over 200,000 data points and has reviewed the extensive data compiled by other federal, state and academic institutions over the past year.

EPA funded Virginia Tech to sample homes in Flint. Overall lead levels are improving. As of September, 95% of samples are at or below the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead.Orthophosphate treatment, to rebuild the protective scale in pipes, is being maintained throughout the system. EPA is also monitoring chlorine in the system to ensure that there is an adequate barrier against bacteria. With properly installed and maintained filters, regular water use by residents and businesses will improve orthophosphate and chlorine levels and overall water quality in the system. EPA will continue to convene experts periodically for Water Summits and will provide stakeholders with access to the best available data.  

For more information, see EPA's latest water quality fact sheet.