An extensive lead service pipe replacement effort has been underway since 2016. In early 2017, some officials asserted that the water quality had returned to acceptable levels, but in January 2019, residents and officials expressed doubt about the cleanliness of the water.
[22][23][24] There were an estimated 2,500 lead service pipes still in place as of April 2019.
[25] As of December 8, 2020, fewer than 500 service lines still needed to be inspected.
[26] As of July 16, 2021, 27,133 water service lines had been excavated and inspected, resulting in the replacement of 10,059 lead pipes.
[27] After $400 million in state and federal spending, Flint has secured a clean water source, distributed filters to all who want them, and laid modern, safe, copper pipes to nearly every home in the city.
Politico declared that its water is "just as good as any city's in Michigan."