Crews Out this Week Working to Replace More Lead & Galvanized Pipes in Flint

December 5, 2016 (FLINT, Mich)– Work to replace lead and galvanized steel service lines leading from the street to the water meter in the homes of Flint residents continues this week. Crews from two area companies are replacing the pipes during this third phase of Mayor Karen Weaver’s FAST Start initiative. The effort is a key component of the mayor’s goal to restore safe, clean drinking water to Flint residents. As many as 788 homes may get new pipes this fall.

Work crews plan to replace service pipes this week at homes on Kellar Avenue between Welch Boulevard and Dayton Street; on Leland Street between Fenton Road and Tuxedo Avenue; on Crawford Street between Fenton Road and South Grand Traverse Street; and Swayze Street between Durand and Downey streets.

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 substantially reduced since the city switched back a year ago to water delivered from Lake Huron by the Great Lakes Water Authority, residents are still being urged to drink only filtered water, and to be mindful to replace their filters when needed.