Pipes at 192 Homes Replaced So Far through Mayor Weaver’s FAST Start Initiative

October 10, 2016 (FLINT, Mich) — Lead-tainted service lines at 192 homes have been replaced so far as part of Mayor Karen Weaver’s FAST Start initiative, with 29 homes getting new copper pipes last week. Rainy weather kept work crews from replacing even more pipes, but they’re on track to finish at least 200 homes by the end of this week, completing the second phase of the FAST Start program.

Crews from three area companies are replacing lead and galvanized steel service lines leading from the street to the water meter in residents’ homes during this second phase of the FAST Start initiative, extending the mayor’s efforts to restore safe, clean drinking water to Flint residents.

“Rain this past week slowed work, but crews won’t quit until they get lead-tainted pipes replaced at 200 homes or more in this second phase of FAST Start,” Mayor Karen Weaver said. “We’re on track to soon begin the third phase of FAST Start and replace service lines at hundreds more homes this fall.”

Crews are scheduled to continue to replace service pipes this week at homes on Dartmouth Street between Brownell Boulevard and Trumbull Avenue; Ida Street between Miller Road and Corunna Road; Boston Avenue between Miller Road and Becker Street; and Durand Street between Miller Road and Corunna Road.

Mayor Weaver launched the FAST Start initiative to help resolve a number of problems created after a state-appointed emergency manager switched the City’s water source to the Flint River in 2014 without the necessary corrosion control chemicals being added. The corrosive water removed a protective coating on the inside of the pipes, causing lead to leach into the water flowing to homes and businesses in the City of Flint.

While the level of lead in Flint’s water supply has been reduced significantly since the city switched back to water delivered from Lake Huron by the Great Lakes Water Authority a year ago, residents are still being urged to drink only filtered water, and to replace their filters when needed.

During the first phase of FAST Start earlier this year, service pipes to 33 homes were replaced.