FLINT, MI -- Homeowners who still have elevated levels of lead in their water could have in-home plumbing and fixtures replaced -- up to $7,500 worth of work -- at state expense.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announced the availability of up to $1 million on Wednesday, Oct. 17, and said it's offering the program in partnership with the United Way of Genesee County and Genesee County Habitat for Humanity.
"We've been doing a lot of testing in Flint. The (tests) have been coming back with very good results ... so this was designed to address the exception rather than the rule," said George Krisztian, assistant director of DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance.
Although only a handful of homes have registered lead in water readings of more than 15 parts per billion in testing for the Lead and Copper Rule since June, homes with lead pipes, fixtures or solder could still produce high readings.
Overall, the city's water has tested under the federal threshold of 15 ppb for lead for more than two years.
To qualify for plumbing replacement, homeowners must first test their water, utilizing a sampling kit available at no cost at Flint City Hall, according to program guidelines announced by the DEQ on Wednesday, Oct. 17.
If water tests above 15 ppb, DEQ will follow up with additional testing, and if results remain above the threshold, Genesee County Habitat for Humanity and United Way of Genesee County will manage the response and follow up with the homeowner to determine eligibility and plumbing and fixture replacement by a licensed plumber.
In the most recent round of testing for the LRC, the DEQ reported earlier this month that 78 water systems in the state had higher lead levels than Flint tested in the first six months of this year.
Flint's 90th percentile reading for lead was 6 ppb, but Krisztian said the LRC results don't mean water is safe at every home connected to the system.
"It doesn't speak to the entire population," he said. "You can have a certain percentage of individuals who have issues in their homes."