Flint Township View

McLaren officials say its water meets safety and quality standards




FLINT – With continued focus on water quality in the City of Flint, McLaren Flint is reporting that regular testing of its water system for bacteria and lead shows that the water supply at McLaren Flint is well within safety and quality standards.

The hospital has taken aggressive measures over the past 18 months to safeguard and reinforce the quality of the water system at the hospital.

Janet Stout, PhD, a clinical and environmental microbiologist and President of Special Pathogens Laboratory (a national consulting firm that has worked with McLaren Flint) supported the strategies that have been implemented and noted due to the aggressive actions that have been taken, “the water at McLaren Flint is probably safer than anywhere else.”

Among the measures that have been put into place to ensure the safety and quality of the water system at McLaren Flint are the following:

McLaren Flint purchased and installed five Monochloramine secondary disinfection water treatment systems to the hot water systems of the hospital. These systems cover all areas of McLaren Flint and represent a $300,000 investment. Monochloramine disinfects domestic hot water plumbing systems and has been determined to be the best and most stateof the-art approach available.

McLaren Flint has installed new water and ice machines and nine water bottle filling stations that are all filtered for lead. These are being provided not because of concerns over lead in the water (as tests continue to support that the hospital is within all standards) but specifically to enhance peace of mind for patients and visitors. The hospital has also been distributing bottled water to patients and making available reverse osmosis water to allow patients, visitors and staff a choice regarding their water source for consumption…again to support peace of mind.

Since July 2014, McLaren Flint has conducted over 20 individual rounds of water sample testing at over 100 different locations throughout the facility. These tests are analyzed by independent laboratories with expertise in these areas. Tests for legionella and lead support that McLaren Flint is within safety and quality standards.

McLaren Flint’s Water Committee consisting of Senior Administration, Regulatory Compliance, Patient Safety, Infection Control, Quality and Engineering Services has worked with leading experts in the area of water quality and treatment to develop and administer a Water Safety Plan in accordance with new industry standards.

McLaren Flint has implemented continued surveillance testing of our water to ensure consistent quality standards. Test results show that quality and safety standards are being met.

“The health and safety of our patients, employees, physicians, visitors and volunteers is our highest priority at McLaren Flint, and we are committed to remaining vigilant in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all who come to our facility,” said Donald Kooy, President and CEO, McLaren Flint. – G.G.


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