In a historic milestone nearly a decade in the making, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially lifted its emergency order concerning the City of Flint’s drinking water system. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Monday that Flint has completed all the requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) emergency order issued in January 2016, signaling a significant victory for the city’s long-standing effort to secure clean, safe water for its residents.

"Today we celebrate nearly a decade’s worth of hard work and partnership at the local, state, and federal level to ensure the residents of Flint, Michigan, have access to clean, safe drinking water," said Administrator Zeldin. "Lifting this emergency order is a cause for great celebration for residents of Flint who worked so hard and sacrificed so much to get to this point."

The emergency order was put in place at the height of Flint’s lead-in-water crisis, which exposed thousands of residents to lead contamination after a switch in the city’s water source in 2014. The order required extensive reforms, infrastructure investments, and ongoing compliance efforts involving the City of Flint, the State of Michigan, and the EPA.

Zeldin emphasized that while the federal order is being lifted, the EPA will continue to support Flint. "Even though the emergency order is lifted, all levels of government must continue to stay in contact and work closely to be a continued resource for the Flint community and ensure their water remains pristine," he said.

EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel also praised the cooperative effort that led to this milestone. “Lifting the EPA emergency order marks a significant milestone for Flint residents, reaffirming their access to safe, reliable drinking water,” Vogel stated. “This achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of the City of Flint, the State of Michigan, and the EPA in addressing the lead crisis.”

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley framed the development as a hard-earned achievement for a resilient community. “The lifting of the EPA’s emergency order is a powerful testament to the strength and advocacy of Flint residents,” said Neeley. “For nearly a decade, we have worked tirelessly to restore trust and integrity to our water system. While this milestone marks progress, our commitment to clean, safe drinking water remains unwavering.”

Since the 2016 order, Flint has implemented an optimized corrosion control treatment system that has successfully kept lead levels below federal action thresholds. The city has also replaced more than 97% of its lead service lines—pipes known to contribute to contamination in the past—and constructed a backup water line to ensure reliability during emergencies.

Flint’s water system is now in full compliance with EPA’s lead standards. Oversight of its operations will return to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which will ensure ongoing adherence to the SDWA.

The EPA’s role in Flint’s recovery has been extensive. Through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, the EPA awarded over $100 million in grants to EGLE for infrastructure upgrades. The agency also provided technical assistance, supported staff training, and helped guide the city through its consent agreement with EGLE in 2024 to ensure long-term compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.

Among the key actions taken under the emergency order:

• Flint and EGLE completed a pipe loop study and implemented corrosion control treatment to reduce lead leaching.
  
  
• A secondary pipeline connecting Flint to the Genesee County Drain Commission was built to serve as an emergency backup water source.
  
  
• The city boosted its permanent water system staffing, now employing 13 state-certified operators, and updated operational procedures.

Administrator Zeldin, who visited Flint early in his tenure to meet with community members and tour water infrastructure upgrades, highlighted the importance of maintaining progress. “EPA will remain a partner to provide technical assistance to the city and state as efforts continue to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure systems,” he said.

The lifting of the EPA’s emergency order marks both a symbolic and practical turning point for Flint, capping a painful chapter in the city’s history and signaling a renewed commitment to public health and environmental justice.