Mayor's Office

Crews Resume Work to Replace Lead and Galvanized Pipes in Flint as Part of Mayor Weaver’s FAST Start Initiative

Flint, Mich — On Wednesday, April 18, 2018, Crews resumed work to replace lead-tainted service lines leading to homes in Flint as part of Mayor Weaver’s FAST Start initiative. Flint City officials have directed contractors to mobilize crews and equipment to resume replacing lead and galvanized water service lines that were part of the addresses provided to them in the 2017 Phase IV project area.The work being done is part of the final stages of Phase IV of the service line replacement project. The work was placed on hold in December due to impending winter weather conditions.

The current number of service lines crews will be working to replace is 385. However, more service lines may be replaced if contractors have the budget remaining to do so in their individual contracts.

Two of the contractors each have 50–60 service lines each to complete. It is expected that this work will be completed in 3-6 weeks. The third contractor has mobilized four crews.  Based upon previous production rates, this contractor should complete its work in 6-8 weeks.

As of April 18, 2018, the total number of lead and galvanized lines replaced is 6,264. The total number of full copper lines identified through hydro-excavation is approximately 2,500 since FAST Start launched in March 2016.

Existing City records indicate there are about 12,000 remaining homes in Flint with lead or galvanized service lines. This year, the mayor’s FAST Start program will continue work to replace any lead or galvanized lines outside homes with copper service lines. The goal is to replace at least 6,000 lead-tainted pipes outside homes in 2018 and the remaining pipes in 2019 to complete the project.