Analytical Support for the Drinking Water Emergency in Flint, Michigan

Helping 100,000 Residents Affected by Elevated Lead Levels in Local Water Supply

Lead contamination found in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan had a catastrophic impact on the community and its residents. CSS supported EPA’s response to the crisis by providing mobile and fixed analytical laboratory services and data review.  Over a nine-month period, our chemists analyzed and/or reviewed more than 3,400 samples. To meet the fast turn-around required for analytical results, CSS identified and adapted a standard method (522.2 Haloacetic Acids) and performed specialty analytical methods that were not commercially available.  In addition, we supported a health pilot study to assess potential chemical sources of rashes reported by affected residents.  The analytical data produced by CSS for the Flint response was used by the EPA to ensure that corrective actions were working and that the water was safe for human consumption.