Michigan environmental quality department discusses Flint water testing plan with EPA

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has put forth a plan to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to test the lead-tainted water in Flint to find out when the city’s water would become safe for consumption again.

Staff from both the agencies met to discuss the plan which sought testing in homes, schools, restaurants and water distribution system.

Some parts of the water system could get clearance on a rolling basis before April, reported the Detroit Free Press newspaper, citing state officials.

Michigan’s Governor had extended the emergency state in the city until 14 April in order to enable the city recover from the lead contamination crisis.

This crisis started in April 2014 after the cash-strapped city switched water sources to save money, reported Reuters. The city had switched its source of tap water from Detroit’s system to the Flint River.

Following this switch, residents had complained of several health issues even as officials assured that the water for consumption was safe.

Michigan DEQ director Keith Creagh was quoted by the news agency as saying: "We want to have systems and structures in place that will lead us to better conclusions for the people of Flint."

According to the plan submitted to the EPA, there would be four rounds of testing, with each taking about two weeks.

Situated about 100km from Detroit, Flint went back to using the city’s water system in October after tests found high levels of lead contamination in water.

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Image: In April, Flint city had switched its source of tap water from Detroit’s system to the Flint River. Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikipedia.