Analytical Support for the Drinking Water Emergency in Flint, Michigan
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.
Additional Projects

Analytical Laboratory Support for Mass Transit Decontamination Research
CSS helped advance EPA’s body of knowledge for restoring subway systems after a biological incident.

Onsite Analytical Support Following Hurricane Harvey
CSS helped EPA protect the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey from volatile and semi-volatile water contaminants.

Analytical Support for the Drinking Water Emergency in Hawaii
In response to the Red Hill Drinking Water Emergency, CSS staff mobilized on Christmas Day to set up mobile laboratory assets to analyze drinking water samples and confirm that the drinking water in residential homes was safe for human consumption.

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