November 7, 2016 (FLINT, Mich) — Lead-tainted service lines at 295 homes have been replaced so far as part of Mayor Karen Weaver’s FAST Start initiative, with 44 homes getting new copper pipes last week.
Crews from two area companies are replacing lead and galvanized steel service lines leading from the street to the water meter in residents’ homes during this third phase of the FAST Start initiative, extending the mayor’s efforts to restore safe, clean drinking water to Flint residents.
“I’m urging residents in the areas targeted for new pipes to sign consent cards so the work can proceed as quickly as possible,” Mayor Weaver said. “We need to replace pipes to 788 more homes this fall, and it’s critical that we work as quickly as possible while the good weather lasts.”
Work crews plan to replace service pipes this week at homes on Copeman Boulevard and Begole Street between Forest Hill Avenue and Ballenger Highway; on Oklahoma Avenue between Cook Street and Dort Highway; Dakota Avenue between Vernon Avenue and Dort Highway; and Maryland Avenue between Lewis Street and Dort Highway.
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 replace their filters when needed.
