FLINT, Mich. Officials for the Community Outreach and Resident Education (CORE) program are reminding residents to open their door for CORE, who are credentialed team members going door-to-door to ensure Flint residents are properly installing, using and maintaining their water filters and aware of available resources.
Residents are also reminded to ensure verification of official CORE credentials before allowing an individual into their home. Credentials include an official blue Flint Water Response Team badge with a security hologram, a GST MichiganWorks! badge with photo identification and a bright yellow vest. Team members will be ready to and are required to display their two pieces of identification at all times, and especially upon approach of a home.
CORE members visit homes between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by appointment. To date, CORE teams have attempted nearly 310,000 home visits and connected with nearly 97,000 residents.
CORE members can help residents determine if they qualify for a free program to have a kitchen and bathroom faucet replaced at no charge. Brass faucets and other brass components can be a contributor of lead. Funding has been made available to replace faucets in approximately 4,000 homes.
While testing shows that for over a year the City of Flint’s water system has tested well below action levels of the federal Lead and Copper Rule, the state is still recommending the use of water filters in any areas where lead pipe replacement efforts continue.
Residents also are encouraged to regularly clean their faucet aerators and keep the water moving throughout their homes. Flushing faucets on a daily basis and cleaning faucet aerators weekly will help reduce the presence of lead in individual homes and throughout the Flint water system.
Residents can call 810-238-6700 with questions about filter usage or to schedule a home visit by a CORE member. CORE teams are comprised of Flint residents from the community who have helped each other overcome many of the same challenges.