Activists sue to replace Flint, Mich., water lines

There has been a national outcry over the contamination of water in Flint, in the northern U.S. state of MI, that has drawn rebuke from even U.S. President Barack Obama.CCTV America’s Roee Ruttenberg reports from Flint, the center of a water crisis that has gained national U.S. attention. Current water testing does not differentiate high-risk tap water flowing through lead pipes and copper pipes with lead solder, which could underestimate the danger, the suit says.

In the lawsuit, the National Resources Defense Council, the American Civil Liberties Union of MI and Flint residents also asked for relief for any medical harm suffered but did not seek monetary damages.

FLINT, Mich. – The Michigan city of Flint is under a public health emergency that has led to local, state and federal emergency declarations because its drinking water is tainted with lead.

The lawsuit asks a federal judge to order the defendants replace all lead pipes in Flint at no cost to the users of the lines and to ensure defendants do not commit any more actions against the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“Absolutely not”, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder told MSNBC. “The short-term issue is about recoating the pipes and that will be based on third-party experts saying the water is safe”.

Snyder also announced that the state would have an increased administrative presence in Flint and called it the beginning of a long-term effort.

A coalition of activists and national groups filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging the state of MI has repeatedly violated the Safe Water Drinking Act and asking the court to step in and secure access to safe drinking water for Flint residents.

The rapper’s donation follows that of music mogul P Diddy who partnered up with actor Mark Wahlberg, Wiz Khalifa and MI native Eminem, to donate one million bottles of AQUAhydrate water to the town.

The governor said the 17-member committee will make recommendations regarding the health of people exposed to lead, study Flint’s water infrastructure and determine potential upgrades, and establish ways to improve communication between local and state government.

It was discovered several months ago that children in the financially strapped city have high levels of lead in their blood, in part because of the state’s decision to switch Flint’s water supply. They could not immediately be reached for comment.

To add insult to injury, Flint is still charging residents for contaminated water. But a one-time infusion of gallons of fresh water doesn’t do much to address the systemic failures of government that led to the water crisis in the first place.

Flint has reconnected to Detroit’s water system while awaiting the completion of a new pipeline from Lake Huron. “This community deserves accountability, transparency, and justice, in addition to water that is safe to drink”.

Kettering University is hosting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Emergency Response team in the Innovation Center as they manage and respond to the current water crisis in Flint.

As a resident of Shelby Township I actively sought to have the governor recalled for his actions toward my retirement income, the credibility of teachers and his replacement of elected mayors with “emergency managers” throughout MI.