Genesee County Health Department Issues Reminder Regarding Flint Water Emergency Declaration and Recommendations

The Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) and Board of Health wish to remind residents that the County public health emergency declaration for people using the Flint City water supply remains in effect.   With the recent closing of the bottled water distribution sites, the GCHD reminds everyone using Flint municipal water that it is important to:

• Install and use a filter. It is important that you install the filter correctly.  Let water run through the filter for 15 seconds before using, and do not run hot water through the filter.  (Visit gchd.us or www.flintcares.com to view videos on filter installation.)
• Change filter cartridges regularly. There is an indicator light that will remind you when the cartridge needs to be replaced.

Water filters continue to be available free of charge at various locations throughout the City of Flint.

(Visit www.cityofflint.com/how–can–i–help/ or call 211.)

Additionally, the GCHD supports the Genesee County Medical Society’s “Recommendations Regarding Flint Municipal Water” (available at www.gcms.org), in particular that children less than 6 years old, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems should continue using only bottled water purified by reverse osmosis for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth.  Filtered water can be safely consumed after boiling for those at-risk individuals unable to access purified bottled water.  (Visit www.gchd.us for a fact sheet on use of boiled water.)

Furthermore, the GCHD supports Mayor Weaver and her advisors for alerting residents of the risk of lead spikes in drinking water as the lead pipe replacement work progresses in Flint.

The Genesee County water advisory will remain in effect at least until all the lead service lines are replaced.