Flint Drinking Water Response
Advice to Flint Residents
DO NOT drink unfiltered water. It's not safe!
DO NOT cook or brush teeth with unfiltered water
DO NOT allow babies and children to drink bathwater
DO USE an NSF-certified water filter rated to remove lead
DO RUN cold water throughout the house up to 5 minutes every morning to flush pipes
EVERYONE CAN wash hands, bathe, or shower with unfiltered water
Information for Residents
Additional Information
On January 16, 2016, President Obama signed an emergency declaration ordering federal assistance to support state and local response efforts in Flint, Michigan.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been designated the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating federal government response and recovery efforts.
In collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), HHS will identify and mobilize the capabilities of the rest of the federal partners – including the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (USDA) and Education -- that are already working to help residents in Flint.
The goal of the federal response is to help state and local leaders identify the size and scope of the problem, and work with them to make and execute a plan for mitigation of the short- and long-term health effects of lead exposure.
On October 16, 2015, EPA established the Flint Safe Drinking Water Task Force to provide the Agency’s technical expertise through regular dialogue with designated officials from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the City of Flint.