FLINT WATER CRISIS

Flint says 2,181 lead pipes replaced

Leonard N. Fleming and Sarah Rahal
The Detroit News

The city of Flint has replaced lead-affected service pipes at 1,283 homes in another phase of Mayor Karen Weaver’s plan to improve water quality in the wake of its water crisis.

The mayor’s FAST Start initiative has replaced service lines in 2,181 homes since March 2016. Flint hopes this year to replace lead-tainted pipes at 6,000 Flint homes, officials said.

The Weaver administration hopes to have nearly 20,000 of all Flint’s service lines replaced by 2020 at the pace of 6,000 new pipes replaced annually over the next three years.

“I am very pleased that Phase 4 of FAST Start is progressing so well," Weaver said in a Wednesday statement. "We have met, and actually exceeded, the requirements that have been set so far. We are on track to reach our goal of replacing 6,000 lead-tainted pipes by the end of this year and that is great news for the citizens and the City of Flint.”

Crews did identify 541 homes with copper service lines that did not need to be replaced, officials said.

About $100 million in federal aid is being held up since Flint City Council hasn’t approved a plan for a long-term water source for the city.

To receive a new service line, residents must have an active water account. They also must have signed a consent card giving permission for the work to be done.

“Crews from four area companies are replacing lead and galvanized service lines leading from the street to the water meter in residents’ homes during this fourth phase of FAST Start, extending the mayor’s efforts to restore safe, clean drinking water to Flint residents,” the city said in a Tuesday statement.

About 29,100 residents have lead or galvanized steel service lines that need to be replaced at a cost of at least $140 million, the city estimates.

The state will pay $25 million through September, enough for Phases 1-3 for about 5,000 homes, according to the city’s website.

Residents can view the zone planning here.

Constructions crews will be in the following areas through Friday: Copeman Boulevard, Tiffin Street, Brown Street, Cumings Avenue, Beaver Avenue, Chicago Boulevard, Miller Road, Fenton Road, Brunswick Avenue, Camden Avenue, Partridge Street, East Moore Street, Joliet Street, Nebraska Avenue, Monteith Street, Neubert Avenue, Blades Avenue, East Stewart Avenue, West Stewart Avenue, Victoria Avenue, Burr Boulevard, Ogema Avenue, Damon Street and Pettibone Avenue, West Pasadena Avenue, West Newall Street, White Street, Indiana Avenue and Broadway Boulevard.

lfleming@detroitnews.com

srahal@detroitnews.com