Feds Wary Of Flint's Chlorine Levels

Federal officials are raising questions about the balance of treatment chemicals used in Flint, MI.

Chlorine levels are one variable in the mix. Flint’s chlorine levels are in balance at the moment, but officials say summer months could alter conditions. 

The city is working to raise chlorine levels. Mayor Karen Weaver said in June that she “is requesting continued technical assistance from the state and federal government as the city adds the equipment and begins to change water chemistry,” Michigan Live reported. 

"We don't want to move too quickly because we could make things worse, and we don't want that to happen," she said, per the report. 

Federal regulators told Michigan officials in June that they are concerned with the city’s chlorine levels. 

A letter from the U.S. EPA “directs the city to add the capability to boost the level of chlorine in water that's being purchased from the Great Lakes Water Authority with a temporary chemical feed at Flint's water treatment plant until a long-term treatment system is developed and put in place,” Michigan Live reported. 

The letter was signed by EPA Water Enforcement Division Director Mark Pollins, per The Detroit News: “As chlorine decay increases with warmer temperatures, EPA is concerned that (Flint) will not be capable of maintaining chlorine residuals that follow best practices and are protective of public health. In particular, we are concerned that while the city can add chlorine at its Cedar Street and West Side Reservoirs, this additional chlorine does not reach the entire distribution system.” 

Pollins called on Flint to update its water treatment plant with new chlorination equipment. 

“With the onset of warmer weather, the situation is urgent,” he wrote. “We believe the city and the state must take immediate action to implement a temporary solution even as a long-term treatment system is developed and put in place.” 

Part of the urgency around chemical levels is that low chlorine combined with stagnant water can lead to “a range of issues, from E. coli to a likely link to deadly Legionnaires’ disease,” according to The Detroit News. The number of Legionnaires’ death has spiked in Genesee County, where Flint is located, over the last two years, according to CNN. 

Weaver pointed to infrastructure challenges as one of the biggest complications the city faces, according to The Detroit News. 

“One of the things we know we’re dealing with is an old and outdated infrastructure,” Weaver said, per The Detroit News. “The concerns are that as warmer weather settles in, there could be more problems as it relates to chlorine decay.” 

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