The latest round of water sampling in Flint showed the city easily met lead safety standards in drinking water for the seventh consecutive year.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - The amount of lead detected in the most recent round of water testing in Flint increased slightly over the past six months, but remains well below the federal action level.
Results released Monday show Flint's municipal water system has complied with lead and copper standards for seven consecutive years after the Flint water crisis.
Water samples taken from July through December of 2023 found 10 parts per billion of lead. That is one-third below the federal action level of 15 parts per billion.
Water samples taken during the first half of 2023 showed 8 parts per billion of lead. The 10 parts per billion found in the second half of 2023 is tied for the highest since 2016.
This graphic shows Flint's lead level in drinking water has remained well below the federal action level for seven years from 2016 through 2023.
Lead levels are determined by averaging results from 90% of water samples taken over the six-month time period. Samples taken during the second half of 2023 came from 31 homes and 30 businesses with lead water service lines.
Only three of those 61 samples showed lead levels above the 15 parts per billion federal standard. However, the 31 residential samples had a lead content of only 6 parts per billion while the business samples caused most of the increase.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division Director Eric Oswald blamed interior plumbing made with lead-based pipes for the higher lead levels in businesses.
Oswald said Monday's results show Flint's water system is delivering clean drinking water to residences and businesses.
"The challenge remains modernizing household plumbing and encouraging more regular water usage at businesses to drive these lead detections even lower," he said.
