Flint, Michigan has officially finished its court-ordered lead service line replacement program, marking a monumental milestone in the battle for clean water for residents. Yet, many residents still face unanswered questions about the safety of their tap water.
What We Know:
- A federal court report on July 1, 2025, confirmed that nearly 11,000 lead pipes have been replaced, safeguarding more than 28,000 properties across Flint.
- Over 97–98% of residential lead service lines have been replaced or verified; restoration of yards, sidewalks, and paved areas is also nearing completion.
- Around 700 households declined replacements initially, and some vacant or opt-out homes may lack new lines.
- Numerous criminal charges filed between 2016–2021 — including against former Gov. Rick Snyder and top officials — have all been dropped or dismissed, with only one minor conviction to date.
- Distrust remains pronounced: many Flint residents continue to rely on bottled water after years of mismanagement.
Deeper Dive
Intentional Misleading & Initial Legal Action
Flint’s water crisis began in 2014, when cost-cutting led to a switch to the Flint River, allowing lead to leach from old pipes. Flint’s 2014 switch to the Flint River, without corrosion control, was a cost-saving decision made under emergency managers appointed by Governor Rick Snyder. Officials repeatedly dismissed residents’ concerns about discolored and foul-smelling water, even as lead-contamination evidence mounted. Nearly 100,000 residents, the majority Black and living in poverty, were exposed to dangerous levels of lead — a potent neurotoxin linked to serious health effects in children and adults.
Justice System Collapses
In 2016–17, Michigan AG Bill Schuette charged nine individuals — including former Gov. Snyder — with misdemeanors, involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office, perjury, and obstruction of justice. By 2019, many prosecutions faltered. Strategic legal missteps derailed cases, and in June 2022, Michigan’s Supreme Court deemed the one-person grand juries unconstitutional, dismissing charges. Then, in October 2023, the Court effectively ended criminal accountability with final dismissals, ordering the destruction of records in Snyder’s misdemeanor case. Governor Snyder and others escaped conviction, increasing distrust even more among many Flint families.
“The residents of Flintdeserved their day in court,” the prosecution said. “If a jury decided that the defendants were not guilty of the charged offenses, so be it. To deny the opportunity to present the evidence and to let the victims tell their story is truly heartbreaking.”
With criminal routes exhausted, attention shifts to settlement funds and ongoing infrastructure work. A civil settlement of $626 million was approved in 2021, followed by an additional $53 million engineering company (Veolia) payout in early 2025. A 2017 federal lawsuit secured Flint residents free lead service line replacements, faucet filters, and infrastructure restoration. However, poor record-keeping, COVID delays, homeowner refusals, and logistical missteps prolonged the rollout. Only recently have city and state officials boosted their data systems, intensified outreach, and pushed to wrap up the remaining work by fall following a court order.
When it comes to issues dealing with the youth here, I do not trust that you have our best interest at heart or even know where to begin to help the youth of this city…Why is it when we call 911 for help, help never shows up, but when the mayor calls, there can be dozens of officers ready to harass and assault the residents? Why is it when so many in our community are suffering, the people we elected to represent us act like they don’t care about us? – Mari Copeny
The State of Michigan submitted a federal court report on July 1, 2025, confirming nearly 11,000 lead pipes were replaced, covering more than 28,000 properties in Flint. The replacement was part of the 2017 settlement triggered by the Safe Drinking Water Act lawsuit involving NRDC, ACLU of Michigan, Flint community groups, and state/federal agencies.
Does This Mean Flint Finally Has Clean Water?
- Technically, yes: Since July 2016, the city’s water has met legal standards for lead, with recent testing showing 90th percentile levels at ~3 ppb, far below the 15 ppb action threshold.
- Practically, maybe not yet: With remaining unaddressed lines, damaged properties, and filters still recommended by many experts, caution is essential.
- Psychologically, trust is still building: After being misled repeatedly, many Flint families (understandably) still hesitate, opting for bottled water despite data showing safety.
Environmental justice advocates describe the completion as historic. “Flint changed America,” said NRDC’s Erik Olson, citing the city’s impact on the federal Lead and Copper Rule, which now mandates removal of all lead pipes nationwide within a decade. The EPA’s updated rule also lowers safety thresholds and obligates utilities to replace lines systematically.
📌 What Flint Residents Need to Know Now:
- Confirm Your Service Line Status: Check if your residence was replaced or flagged as opted out. Contact utilities or visit the State’s replacement records portal.
- If Not Replaced Yet: Check Get The Lead Out and submit your consent form. If you have already completed your consent form, call Flint’s hotline at 810-410-1133 or email GetTheLeadOut@cityofflint.com. Vacant or refused homes are now being re-evaluated, and a consent form should be submitted for these as well.
- If Your Line Was Replaced: After any crew visits, flush cold water for 15 minutes. If possible, a water filter kit is still a smart investment.
- Continue using filters: Even after a replacement, filter use for at least 6 months is recommended to catch any residual lead from disturbed pipes.
- Report physical damage: Yards, sidewalks, and driveways should be restored. If you see cracks, holes, or sinkholes, file a claim. State funding is available to fix them.
- Retest your water if unsure: Flint’s water meets standards, but local conditions vary. You can request free testing kits by contacting Flint Community Lab at 810-875-9127.
- Stay Engaged & Informed: Keep testing your water, track updates via the Flint Water Dashboard, and report issues.
After more than a decade of struggle, Flint has removed the last lead service lines required by the legal settlement. This milestone not only safeguards local families but also sets a blueprint for other U.S. cities confronting lead infrastructure. True progress requires restoring what was broken, rebuilding trust, and ensuring every resident feels safe taking a sip from the tap. The pipes may be copper now, but clean water is about more than infrastructure; it’s about relationships, transparency, and accountability.