FLINT, MICH - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Jan. 27 that, while it is working with drinking water system operators in the city of Flint's water treatment plant, it still recommends that people not drink Flint water from the tap without a filter.
"EPA recommends that residents continue to use filters or drink bottled water and if necessary, contact their local health provider to have themselves or their children tested for lead," said a release. "EPA will continue to work with the city of Flint to monitor drinking water quality and to ensure the public is receiving up-to-date information."
The agency said it is collecting chlorine samples throughout the city, focusing on locations that most likely would have lower chlorine levels, to "ensure that chlorine concentrations in the system are sufficient."
Last week, the EPA issued a Safe Drinking Water Act Emergency Order to ensure the state and city immediately take actions necessary to protect public health.
"The Safe Drinking Water Act Emergency Order requires the State of Michigan and city of Flint to take a series of immediate steps to address the drinking water contamination in Flint," said the release.
The release went further to say the EPA will be sampling drinking water from Flint homeowners in hopes of understanding the various types of plumbing materials that are "of greatest concern for lead" in Flint's drinking water and to make sure that corrosion control is restored to the city's drinking water system.
Water samples will be sent to an EPA independent laboratory. For more information, click here.