As Detroit and other communities across the state turn the water back on at homes where the water was previously shut off, residents need to know the following and take necessary precautions:
Be aware of the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water due to no water use in their home. This is a risk even for homes that do not have a lead service line, because there may be lead in fixtures, faucets, etc.
Flush the water throughout your house following specific steps that should be provided by DWSD. See the image below for details on how to flush your water.
It is very important to remove aerators during flushing. Aerators may be very difficult to remove after months with no water use. When looking down at the sink, turn the aerator clockwise to remove it. Brush it with an old toothbrush and rinse before reinstalling.
Use a filter that meets NSF/ANSI standard 53 for lead reduction and change out the cartridges per the manufacturer’s instructions. This is especially important if there is a pregnant woman or young children in the home. Filters may be available from DWSD, MDHHS and/or EGLE.
Residents can check to see if they have a lead service line and let their water utility know. The water utility can provide additional education if the house has a lead service line.
