The 100,000 residents of Flint, Mich., are still using bottled water for bathing and washing dishes because their tap water is still unsafe to use. Some improvement has been made, says researchers who released test results from 174 homes showing declining levels of lead in the water. However, Flint is still being considered a high-risk zone for lead contamination.

In order for Flint’s water system to reach recovery, its residents need to run their water, which everyone is reluctant to do. Marc Edwards, the Virginia Tech professor says, “The lead levels that prompted restrictions last fall were caused by a failure to add anti-corrosion chemicals to the water, and now that those controls have been added, they depend on regular water flow to be effective.”

Flint’s population has decreased since the water crisis began in April of 2014, which means the water system is already running low on capacity. The good news Mr. Edwards proclaimed is that the system has improved greatly since last year. The bad news is that the water still isn’t meeting federal requirements.

The New York Times stated that lead service lines are being replaced, which could take years to complete. Karen Weaver, the mayor, said that pipes had been replaced at 33 homes, but the project would cost at least $55 million — funds she said should come from the state. Read more.