2-1-1 Update Flint Water Response for Friday, April 8, 2016

This is the 2-1-1 update on the Flint Water Response for Friday, April 8, 2016

This update is produced by Michigan 2-1-1 three times a week (M-W-F) with special updates as needed.  Organization updates, information and announcements can be sent to tpage@uwmich.org.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Michigan Faith in Action and Flint Rising are hosting a community meeting with Water Defense on Saturday at St. Michael’s Church (609 E 5th Ave) at 11:30am. facebook.com/events/1704048673196278/
• Michigan Civil Rights Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Flint Water Crisis on Thursday, April 28 from 2:30 pm – 8:15 pm at the Riverfront Banquet Center, 1 Riverfront Center West. Commission co-chairs Arthur Horwitz and Rasha Demashkieh will deliver opening remarks from 2:30 pm to 2:45 pm, then take public comment, with preference given to Flint residents followed by a panel of representatives from various State of Michigan agencies.
  • Immediately following their presentation, Flint residents will be given the opportunity to respond to the testimony of the state agency panel.
  • Before the close of the hearing, Commissioners will deliberate on the day’s testimony as well as the roles of structural or systemic racism, environmental justice and other forms of racism that may have contributed to the crisis, and outline the Commission’s next steps.
• The Flint Water Crisis Community Partners Workgroup meeting schedule
  • Communication Workgroup: Monday, April 11^th, 3:30 pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, 2474 S Ballenger Hwy, Flint, MI 48507
    The Communications Workgroup provided the attached ‘Sample Water Testing Report’ (.jpg format) used to provide lead and copper test results to Flint residents, as well as the simplified organizational chart for Flint Water Response organizations and agencies.
  • NOTE:  The full Community Partners meeting schedule is published in each Monday’s update.
• Mobile Food Bank Schedule for the week of April 10, 2016
  • Wednesday, April 13, at 1 pm – New Birth Church, 3918 Blackington Ave.
  • Thursday, April 14, at noon – Faith Gospel Temple, 1525 Kent. St.
  • Friday, April 15, at noon – St. Luke New Life Center, 3115 Lawndale.
  • Information about additional food distribution dates will be announced as they are scheduled. For more information, visit the Food Bank website at www.FBEM.org or call 810-239-4441.
• REMINDER: Fire Station #6 on Pierson Road is set to close as a water distribution site on Sunday, April 10^th. A new site is opening at Ross Plaza, 2320 W Pierson Rd
  • Hours of operation are:
    12-6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
    12-8pm Tuesday, Friday
    Closed Sunday
• REMINDER: Free Dog lead level testing will be offered by MSU School of Veterinary Medicine on Saturday, April 9 from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Christ The King Education Center 1802 Seymour Ave. Flint, MI 48503 at the corner of Seymour Ave. & Lapeer Road Across the street from Christ The King Catholic Church.
• Detroit News reports delay in water bill credits. City Administrator Sylvester Jones stated Flint is taking extra time to work on the formatting of bills to provide detailed, accurate and transparent information on the water bills.
  Full story at www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/08/water-credits/82788732/
• State wants Flint lawsuit dismissed arguing it was’t filed within six months of the city’s April 2014 water switch. Full story at: detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/08/flint-lawsuit/82794234/
• Rep. Fred Upton plans Congressional Flint hearing April 13^th to learn about infrastructure issues and look at short and long-term health implications. This story also reports, “nine nurses have been hired for Flint schools and are on the job to bolster the city’s effort to fight lead poisoning”.
  Full story at: www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/07/snyder-faces-criticism-over-congressional-testimony/82716980/

CALL VOLUME
2-1-1 call volume continues to remain manageable with existing staffing levels

SPECIAL NEEDS/REQUESTS
Flint Water Crisis Community Partners Communication Workgroup provided responses to several commonly asked questions:

Q: Is it safe to wash children’s  cups and bottles in a dishwasher with unfiltered water?
A: The EPA states children’s cups and bottles should be washed in filtered water only.

Q: What happens when hot water is ran through a filter?
A: Per the manufacturers:  If hot water is run through the cartridges, it will not be adequately filtered and in some cases may actually reverse the chemical absorption and adsorption processes, releasing contaminants back into the water.  Use only Cold or Cool water when operating the filters.  If you happen to accidentally run hot water through the system, simply run cold water through the unit for 2 minutes to flush out the hot water.  With regard to whole house systems, you will still get clean filtered hot water because the cold water line of your home will connect to the filter system, get filtered first and then will go to the hot water heater to be heated.

Q: Regarding the side-effects of lead: On average how soon do symptoms appear?
A: There is no one, clear answer as signs or symptoms may or may not appear at all and often depend upon the dosage or the duration of exposure. Acute symptoms of poisoning are usually due to high dose exposures such as in certain occupational work place settings. Chronic low dose exposures may or may not have symptoms. Whether or not symptoms develop again is dependent upon the degree of exposure, the amount of exposure, and potential duration. Potential underlying medical conditions may also influences such things. CDC statement on symptoms: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html

Q: What government bodies are testing the water and what are they testing?
A: MDEQ and EPA are testing the water:

• MDEQ: The samples of water that are sent in by residents are tested for lead and copper.
• EPA: More details and maps can be found here: www.epa.gov/flint/flint-water-sampling-efforts
  • Chlorine Monitoring: EPA is collecting samples at businesses and homes throughout Flint to determine chlorine levels in the drinking water system. Chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water and prevent the growth of viruses and bacteria such as E. coli. At appropriate levels, the presence of chlorine in drinking water is normal. At monitoring locations where chlorine is not found, EPA follows up with testing for microbial contamination.
  • Sequential Sampling for Lead Assessment: EPA is sampling for lead in drinking water in Flint homes. At leach location, a sequential series of 15-20 water samples is  collected, each representing a length of pipe from the home to the water main. This type of sampling looks at different plumbing materials to evaluate sources of lead in drinking water. Sequential samples will be collected every two months at select homes to determine whether or not corrosion control is working throughout the water system.
  • Testing In-Home Lead Filters: NSF-certified lead removal filters are being distributed in Flint by the State of Michigan to remove lead from household water and make it safe for people to drink. EPA is sampling drinking water in households to test the effectiveness of these filters at removing lead at high concentrations. Samples are also analyzed for 13 total metals, pH and chlorine. EPA sampling results show that lead-removal filters are working as expected in Flint homes. EPA continues to recommend that Flint residents use NSF-certified filters in their homes.
  • Hot Water Sampling: EPA is sampling cold and hot water in homes to determine the impact of stagnation and heat on drinking water quality. Water samples are analyzed for: 13 total metals (including lead and copper), chlorine, pH
  • Health Concern Sampling: EPA is collecting water samples from homes participating in a study being conducted by health agencies. Water samples are collected from kitchen and bathroom fixtures at different temperatures and analyzed for: 24 total metals (including lead and copper), chloride, sulfate, fluoride, chlorine, pH
  • At select homes, water samples will be collected at different temperatures and analyzed for additional organic compounds, including disinfection byproducts and trihalomethanes (THM). Water quality data is provided to health agencies for evaluation and communication with residents.

RUMOR/SCAM CONTROL

• A Flint resident contacted 2-1-1 on Wednesday, April 6 regarding a rumor that funding for blood lead testing will run out on April 30^th.
  • THIS RUMOR IS FALSE. DHHS confirmed, “Blood lead testing will not be ending. That was available prior to the emergency and will continue to be available into the future.”

The Attorney General’s Office investigates reports of potential scams.   These can be reported to the Charitable Trust Section at ct_email@michigan.gov. The AG has tips on how to avoid falling victim to con artists at www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-17337_20942-375279–,00.html.

UNRESOLVED

• From 3/8/16:The Community Partners Communications Workgroup is asking for guidance from the State of Michigan on the following issues:
  • Regarding the side-effects of lead: On average how soon do symptoms appear?
    • RESOLUTION: See response above in Special Needs/Requests section.
  • Who is testing the samples provided by residents? Is more than just lead and coper levels being tested? If so what is being tested?
    • RESOLUTION:  See response above in Special Needs/Requests section.

Flint Water Simplified Org Chart (PDF)