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Virginia Tech researchers are back in Flint for a new round of water testing

Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

Researchers from Virginia Tech are back in Flint to test people’s tap water, but some residents are not willing to have their water tested again.

Last summer, tests by Virginia Tech were the first to show elevated lead levels in Flint’s drinking water.

Virginia Tech Ph.D student says testing the same homes is the best way to know if things have changed, but he says they are running into some resistance from homeowners.

"When we call them they’re like 'I don't want to do anything with this water business anymore,'" says Mantha.

However, others are having their tap water retested. 

The lead level in Lee-Anne Walters' tap water was astronomically high last year. She's working with the researchers from Virginia Tech to get as many homes retested as possible.

"Everyone wants the same thing: clean safe drinking water," says Walters, "but in order for that to happen all these tests need to happen."

Last summer, the Virginia Tech researchers collected 271 samples. They would like to get samples from at least 75 to 100 of those same homes. They would prefer many more.

It will be several weeks before all the samples will be tested to see if there has been any noticeable change in the lead levels.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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