FLINT, Mich. – By the end of the day today, water response teams had canvassed all areas of the city providing Flint residents with free bottled water, filters, water replacement cartridges and water testing kits.
To date, 30,770 homes in the city of Flint were either visited by a water response team, or the resident has visited a water resource site to pick up supplies. Water response teams are composed of city, county and state personnel, American Red Cross and volunteers, as well as National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
“While we have visited every part of the city, we know we have not yet reached every home, so our work is not done,” stated Capt. Chris Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. “Water response teams will continue door-to-door visits until we are sure every Flint resident has the safe water resources they need.”
As part of the distribution process, members of the water response teams ask a series of questions, such as what type of filter they have and whether the resident needs assistance installing a water filter. The questions help in ensuring the team is distributing an accurate amount of supplies and also allows for the collection of information necessary for long-term recovery. While answering the questions is beneficial to operational efficiency, the questions are voluntary and residents will still receive water resources if they refuse to answer questions.
As previously announced, all members of water response teams wear official credentialed badges with a State of Michigan seal hologram so they can be easily identified. At no time will they enter a resident’s home or request payment for services or supplies.
To date, the following resources have been distributed at the water resource sites and by water response teams:
- More than 105,091 cases of water
- More than 79,571 water filters
- More than 21,625 water testing kits
Since January 5, the State of Michigan has purchased the following resources:
- 124,398 cases of water
- 115,700 water filters
- 61,161 water testing kits
Water resource sites remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are located at:
Fire Station #1
310 East 5th St.
Flint, MI 48502
Fire Station #3
1525 Martin Luther King Ave.
Flint, MI 48503
Fire Station #5
3402 Western Road
Flint, MI 48506
Fire Station #6
716 West Pierson Road
Flint, MI 48505
Fire Station #8
202 East Atherton Road
Flint, MI 48507
Water samples can be dropped off at the five water resource sites. Samples will only be accepted by using the official water testing kits provided at the water resource sites and by the water response teams. Click here or scroll to the bottom of this page to watch a video on how to properly take a water sample.
Persons wishing to volunteer or provide material, in-kind or financial donations can visit helpforflint.com for more information. Note that guidelines have been developed for those wishing to organize water donation drives. (PDF)
The State of Michigan continues to coordinate response efforts in partnership with the City of Flint, Genesee County and local community organizations. Additional information is available at michigan.gov/flintwater, by calling 211 or visiting helpforflint.com.
