EPA: Flint faces ‘significant challenges’ in providing clean water

The Environmental Protection Agency is questioning whether Flint, Mich., is equipped to provide clean and safe drinking water in the long term.

In a letter sent Thursday to the city and state, EPA head Gina McCarthy cites “significant challenges” Flint faces in providing water and questions whether its water treatment plant is “adequately staffed, operated or administered,” the Flint Journal reported Friday.

{mosads}The letter goes on to say that Flint needs “a city administration that can provide stable, reliable and quick administrative support essential to a well-functioning drinking-water system.”

The letter is part of the EPA’s oversight of Flint’s recovery from its drinking water crisis. Last year, the city revealed that it had dangerously high levels of lead in its water due to a switch in water sources ordered by Gov. Rick Snyder’s (R) administration.

The city has since put in additives to reduce the lead leaching from pipes, though levels are still higher than federal rules allow.

Flint officials did not respond to the Flint Journal’s request for comment, and a Snyder spokeswoman said the administration is aware of the letter and working to resolve the issues.

The letter cited specific problems including an oversized distribution system, inadequate staffing or administration and inadequate funding for the treatment plant.