Emails Show Flint State Workers Got Purified Water

The House Oversight Committee is set to grill key federal and state figures in Flint, Mich.’s drinking water crisis over their responsibility for the city’s lead contamination.

Snyder first acknowledged that the water might be contaminated with lead in October.

State regulators failed to ensure the new water was properly treated and lead from pipes leached into the water supply. Some children’s blood has tested positive for lead, which has been linked to learning disabilities, lower IQ and behavioral problems.

Flint switched from Detroit’s water system to Flint River water in a cost-cutting move in 2014, while under state financial management.

Speaking before the editors and publishers of the Michigan Press Association, the Governor also renewed his call for additional federal funding and assistance. The rest will be spent on bottled water, filter systems and test kits. On his website, Moore tells the public in no uncertain terms how they can help the victims of this beleaguered MI city: Do not send bottled water.

This is the second round of funding enacted since the crisis was confirmed in the fall, bringing the total allocated to almost $39 million.

Snyder told WWJ-AM in an interview Friday morning that he had “no knowledge of that taking place”.

The Michigan Legislature on Thursday extended the state emergency declaration in the city of Flint and Genesee County until April 14. It was due to expire on Monday. “Given the fact that we have about $19 trillion in debt I think it’s fair to ask do we want to have the federal government replacing all the infrastructure put in place by cities and states all across the country”.

The City of Flint is warning residents at several addresses outside of city limits that they could be using contaminated water. Employees can also use the drinking fountains.

The Hill reported that a group led by Michigan Senators Gary Peters (D) and Debbie Stabenow (D) is sponsoring an amendment, to be included in the Senate’s wide-ranging energy bill, which would release $600 million in funds.

The governor’s spokesman Dave Murray said the water was for both employees and residents visiting the building, which includes the Department of Health and Human Services, starting in January 2015.

“It’s a lot of work to take out pipes, to redo all of the infrastructure, that’s a whole planning process”, Snyder said. If they’re not, no one can gather signatures to force a recall election.

This Week columnist Shikha Dalmia noted in an op-ed Friday, Flint citizens are legally prohibited from suing the government because of doctrine of sovereign immunity, which protects governments from tort lawsuits.

Protesters have been rallying outside Snyder’s residence, saying he didn’t act swiftly enough to help Flint residents. That money was originally earmarked to begin identifying where there are lead pipes in their system.

Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem and Platinum Equity partner Mark Barnhill will lead the effort. Testing water regularly from its source to residential taps is also important.