The deadline for Flint property owners to take part in the city’s free lead service line replacement program is just a few days away.
During the Flint water crisis, the pipes were a primary source of lead in the city’s drinking water. Replacing the aging pipes became a priority.
Since 2016, more than 27,000 service lines have been inspected. More than 10,000 have been replaced.
However, activity has slowed, with only 20 new work orders in the last few weeks.
Last month, city officials announced this particular replacement program was coming to an end.
Property owners have until Friday to agree to allow contractors to inspect their service lines. If the pipe connecting the property to the city water main is discovered to be lead or galvanized, it will be replaced for free.
*Correction: An earlier version of this story said that property owners who miss the Friday deadline will have to cover the cost of replacing the lead or galvanized pipe themselves. That is incorrect. Under new state regulations, all water systems in Michigan with lead service lines will have to cover the cost of replacing lead service lines, not individual customers. This post has been updated.
