FBI joins investigation on Flint water crisis

Meanwhile, a state lab analyzing lead levels of tap water in Flint is operating seven days per week and can process 1,000 tests each day, officials said.

Thomson ReutersThe top of a water tower is seen at the Flint Water Plant in Flint, Michigan DETROIT (Reuters) – The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will present a comprehensive plan to federal officials on Monday to test lead-contaminated drinking water in Flint, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Lead originally entered Flint’s water supply after the city stopped getting water from Detroit and instead took it from the Flint River as a cost-cutting measure in 2014.

She has a filter on her faucet, but recently officials told residents the level of lead in the water remains unsafe.

Two employees of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality have been suspended, and an administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resigned because of the debacle.

“Understandably, residents here are scared”, Dr. Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said at a news conference.

And on Thursday, U.S. senators from Michigan, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, plus Rep. Dan Kildee announced proposed legislation to provide up to $400 million in federal funding to go towards resolving the issue in Flint, plus $200 million to address health issues of children and adults exposed to lead. The Indian River County, Vero Beach and other municipal water systems also have attributed scattered higher lead levels – yet still within the allowable limit – to corrosion of household plumbing.

“We still have confidence in the filters”, said Mark Durno of the EPA.

Flint switched back last October after tests found high levels of lead in blood samples taken from children.

As efforts to help the residents of Flint continue, Gov. Rick Snyder said he doesn’t plan to replace the lead pipes in the town anytime soon.

In less than a week, the communities of Trotwood, Huber Heights and Clayton collected more than 52 tons of water for people in Flint, Michigan.

“Federal financial support thus far has been limited, and we expect that the state and local governments will be responsible for financing the majority of the costs”, S&P said.

DEQ officials belatedly acknowledged the mistake after months of complaints by residents about the discolored, malodorous water causing a variety of ailments.

“Sending love to Flint and let’s do what we can and the United States people should have clean drinking water”, Cox said.

“We are seeking federal court intervention because the government at every level has evaded responsibility for addressing this crisis”.

He said cities have started introducing some innovative strategies to lessen the cost for residents, including zero-interest loans that get repaid through the home water bill. He said he wants a culture where workers’ “input is valued”.

Snyder has repeatedly apologized for the state’s poor handling of the matter.

He highlighted the importance of not just rebuilding the pipes that physically poisoned the city, but also rebuilding the relationship with the citizens of Flint. The city of Flint sought a cheaper alternative to Detroit’s water to utilize during the construction of the KWA system pipeline.

Asked Friday whether his office and the Legislature should be subject to FOIA, Snyder told a roomful of journalists that he would “love to have that discussion” with lawmakers.