City of Flint Reconnects to Detroit Water

Flint has reconnected to Detroit water. The City of Flint has reached an agreement with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) for the temporary provision of treated Lake Huron water to Flint. Work to establish the reconnection will begin immediately in a coordinated effort between the City of Flint, Genesee County and the DWSD.

A tremendous effort by all three partners, along with the efforts of the Governor and the State Legislature, ensured that this action occurred as quickly as possible. “The money from the State of Michigan to begin fixing Flint water by reconnecting to Detroit is just a start – a down payment,” said Mayor Dayne Walling. “I am not going to stop until every drop of drinking water in Flint is 100% safe.”

Detroit water will be introduced into the Flint system throughout the evening. It is expected that the thorough replacement from Flint River water to Detroit water will happen after approximately three weeks. Residents in Flint may see discoloration as well as notice some taste and odor issues during the transition.

Water provided by DWSD will contain corrosion control agents to hinder the leaching of lead from old pipes into the water; however, the City will also be adding additional corrosion control agents to further minimize the risk presented by lead pipes.

The contract between the City and DWSD calls for the provision of 12.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated water from Lake Huron at a cost of $1.1 million per month. DWSD Director Sue McCormick noted that the talks between Flint, DWSD and the GLWA Board were very cordial: “everyone acted in a spirt of cooperation in order to come to this agreement.” Flint will purchase water from Detroit until the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) pipeline can be completed in 2016. At that time, the KWA will become the primary water source for the City and the Flint River will remain as a backup system.

Residents with questions or concerns about the hydrant flushing in their area can call the Water Service Center at 810-766-7202. Continuing information on water will be provided via this website.