In an announcement Monday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin declared that the City of Flint, Michigan, has successfully met all requirements outlined in the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) emergency order, leading to its immediate termination.
The order, issued in January 2016 amidst the city’s water crisis, has been in place for over nine years.
This landmark achievement signifies a major step forward for Flint, demonstrating the culmination of extensive collaborative efforts between the city, the State of Michigan, and the EPA. Years of diligent work and cooperative federalism have resulted in water sampling that now consistently shows Flint’s water system is in compliance with federal lead standards.
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“Today we celebrate nearly a decade’s worth of hard work and partnership at the local, state, and federal level to ensure the residents of Flint, Michigan, have access to clean, safe drinking water,” stated EPA Administrator Zeldin. “Lifting this emergency order is a cause for great celebration for residents of Flint who worked so hard and sacrificed so much to get to this point. Even though the emergency order is lifted, all levels of government must continue to stay in contact and work closely to be a continued resource for the Flint community and ensure their water remains pristine. EPA will remain a partner to provide technical assistance to the city and state as efforts continue to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure systems.”
EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel echoed this sentiment, saying, “Lifting the EPA emergency order marks a significant milestone for Flint residents, reaffirming their access to safe, reliable drinking water. This achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of the City of Flint, the State of Michigan, and the EPA in addressing the lead crisis. With Flint’s water system in compliance with lead standards, residents can trust in the quality of their water supply.”
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“The lifting of the EPA’s emergency order is a powerful testament to the strength, and advocacy of Flint residents,” said City of Flint Mayor Sheldon A. Neeley. “For nearly a decade, we have worked tirelessly to restore trust and integrity to our water system, as well as meeting rigorous standards. While this milestone marks progress, our commitment to clean, safe drinking water remains unwavering. We will continue to advance infrastructure, strengthen safeguards, and ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated. Flint families deserve nothing less.”
Key to achieving this milestone was Flint’s diligent study and implementation of an optimized corrosion control treatment plan for its drinking water system, a direct response to the 2016 emergency order.
As a result of this plan, the city’s water system has consistently tested below the federal action levels for lead since July 2016. Furthermore, Flint has made significant strides in replacing its aging infrastructure, completing over 97% of legacy lead pipes, known as lead service lines.
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With the lifting of the emergency order, the City of Flint will now revert to its standard obligation of complying with the SDWA and its regulations, with primary oversight shifting to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). EGLE will be responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance, including the implementation of the water system plan to maintain the necessary technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate and maintain Flint’s water system effectively.
Administrator Zeldin’s commitment to Flint was underscored by one of his first official trips in his current role, where he met with community members, toured the newly upgraded water infrastructure, and gained firsthand insight into the city’s recovery efforts.
The EPA’s involvement has been crucial throughout Flint’s recovery journey. The agency has awarded over $100 million in grants to EGLE through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, specifically to fund essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades in Flint. Additionally, the EPA provided direct technical assistance to the city’s system operators, supporting their efforts in maintaining compliance and building long-term capacity.
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In 2024, Flint further solidified its commitment to safe water by entering into an administrative consent order with EGLE to ensure continuous adherence to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA has worked in close collaboration with both the city and the state in their efforts to comply with the emergency order, which mandated several critical actions, including:
- Corrosion Control Optimization: The city and EGLE conducted a comprehensive pipe loop study to determine and implement the most effective corrosion control treatment, ensuring lead levels remain minimized and below the federal action level.
- Backup Water Source: Flint constructed a backup pipeline connecting treated water from the Genesee County Drain Commission to the city’s public water system, providing a critical secondary water source during emergencies and routine maintenance.
- Increased Staffing and Expertise: Since 2016, Flint has significantly increased its permanent staffing levels within the water department and now employs 13 state-certified, licensed drinking water operators, ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the public water system.
Today’s announcement marks a pivotal moment for the City of Flint and its residents, signaling a move towards a more secure and sustainable future for their water supply. While the emergency phase is over, the commitment to maintaining clean and safe drinking water for the Flint community remains a top priority for all levels of government.
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