The City of Flint affirms continued commitment to clean, safe, and reliable water for all residents
FLINT, MI – After nearly a decade of sustained effort, oversight, and advocacy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is officially lifting the emergency order placed on the City of Flint under the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2016. This marks a historic milestone in Flint’s ongoing recovery and resilience journey.
The emergency order—issued in response to the water crisis—required the City of Flint and the State of Michigan to implement a range of corrective actions. Through partnership, investment, and accountability, the City of Flint has met or exceeded all those requirements. Today, EPA confirmed that Flint’s water system is now in full compliance with federal lead standards.
“This moment is about the people of Flint—about their voices, their strength, and their determination,” said Mayor Sheldon 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.”
Since 2016, Flint has implemented a corrosion control plan to minimize lead release in water, remained below federal lead action levels for eight consecutive years, and replaced over 97% of lead service lines. The city has also expanded its team of certified water operators, modernized water system operations, and constructed a backup water line to enhance long-term reliability.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noted the significance of this milestone:
“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 have access to clean, safe drinking water. Even though the emergency order is lifted, our shared responsibility to Flint continues. EPA will remain a committed partner in supporting Flint’s water system long into the future.”
EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel added, “This achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of the City of Flint, the State of Michigan, and the EPA in addressing the lead crisis. Flint residents can trust in the quality of their water supply.”
With the order lifted, regulatory oversight will return to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which will continue to work closely with the city to monitor compliance and ensure long-term system performance.
Background
The EPA emergency order was first issued in January 2016 in response to the Flint water crisis. In the years since:
In 2024, the City of Flint entered an administrative consent order with EGLE to ensure long-term compliance with both the Safe Drinking Water Act and the federal Lead and Copper Rule.
Mayor Neeley concluded, “The road to this day has been long and hard-fought—but Flint stood strong. We thank every resident, worker, and partner who helped us get here. This is a milestone for Flint, but not the end. Our eyes remain on the future—on healing, growth, and protecting our people.”
