Michigan Prosecutor Opens Probe of Flint Water Crisis

(Dale G. Young/Detroit News via AP).

Protesters from Flint, Mich., and Detroit chant, asking for the resignation of Gov. Rick Snyder in relation to Flint’s water crisis, at the Capitol in Lansing on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. “The people of Flint deserve more than an apology”.

Then, on Friday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced he had opened an investigation to find out if the state violated any laws leading up to the contamination’s discovery.

FEMA officials were not immediately available for comment. The corrosive quality eroded iron water mains, turning the water brown, and funneled lead into the water supply from the many lead service lines in the city.

January 5: Snyder declares a state of emergency in Flint, the same day federal officials confirm that they are investigating. The contamination has yet to abate even after the supply was switched back to Detroit. Republican Michigan Governor Rick Snyder activated the National Guard Tuesday to help distribute bottled water and filters to the 100,000 residents of Flint.

One child was found to have a blood lead level of 6.4 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl), well above the lead poisoning threshold of 5 mcg/dl.

The application seeks help from all available federal programs.

This version of the story corrects the cost of the emergency measures to $41 million.

The exposure began in April 2014 after the city switched from using Detroit’s water system, which pumps water out of Lake Huron, to its own treatment plant, which drew water from the Flint River. Pressed on whether that was the first time he became aware of any concern with Flint’s water, Snyder says, “Obviously, I knew there were water issues in Flint”. Since the city is in receivership, a city administrator is now responsible for day-to-day operations.

November 3: Voters elect newcomer Karen Weaver over incumbent Mayor Dayne Walling amid fallout over the drinking water. This crisis didn’t just happen….

Because of its poor finances, Flint government was under state emergency management for years and still is overseen by an advisory board.

Flint residents and people across the board are boiling mad with the Governor, calling for his immediate impeachment and arrest. State officials are now focused on providing water filters and drinking water to Flint residents.

“We are hopeful the culpable parties will receive justice”, said Gerald Kariem of the United Auto Workers, which was handing out bottled water and filters on Friday.

“We’ve been actively engaged with the State of MI as it works to resolve the water issues in Flint”, Hendricks said. Local officials deemed it a public health emergency in October. “The costs add up quickly and the state simply can’t absorb them all”, said Snyder spokesman Meegan Holland.

The actions drew new scrutiny to an environmental crisis that poisoned the water supply for a year and a half before it was addressed. He says Snyder’s request “is an important step toward making sure they get the help they need”.

Moore made an announcement on his Twitter page Friday night about the visit to Flint. Federal prosecutors are already working with the Environmental Protection Agency on an investigation into Flint’s water supply.