Michigan’s Attorney General announces investigation of Flint water crisis

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has told the federal government that the needs of people in Flint during the water crisis “far exceed the state’s capability”.

A June 2015 leaked internal memo from the Environmental Protection Agency raised the issue, saying high lead results in the drinking water were a “serious concern”.

The Republican said that since October, more than 12,000 filters have been distributed, more than 2,000 blood tests have been done – uncovering 43 cases of elevated lead levels – and more than 700 water tests have been conducted.

Michigan National Guard Staff Sergeant William Phillips of Birch Run, Michigan, helps unload pallets of bottled water at a Flint Fire Station, Jan. 13, 2016, in Flint, Michigan.

The presence of lead has been attributed to the corrosion of pipes from the river, desperately in need of modernization.

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

The statement says Snyder’s request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will advise the president on whether the declarations should be granted.

The transition board already met this week and is not scheduled to gather again until February 10, but Michigan Treasury Department spokesman Terry Stanton said it is possible that a special meeting could be called before then.

Flint’s tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 while a new pipeline was under construction.

“We are utilizing all state resources to ensure Flint residents have access to clean and safe drinking water and today I am asking President Obama to provide additional resources as our recovery efforts continue”, Snyder said Thursday. The city now is in receivership, and the city administrator is responsible and accountable for the day-to-day city operations. 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.

Snyder declared an emergency in Flint earlier this month. He’s also seeking federal aid to help fix public schools and other public facilities with damaged pipelines.

A water crisis in Flint has focused mostly on the impact of drinking supplies containing lead that had leached from old plumbing after the city switched sources to save money.

Weaver, who pushed for local control on the campaign trail, took office in November after defeating incumbent Mayor Dayne Walling.

Kildee said in a statement that “thousands of children of Flint who have been poisoned are the victims in this situation”.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced that his office would investigate to determine what, if any Michigan laws were violated.

His office announced early Friday morning that Schuette will investigate the matter, Te Detroit News reports.

In a statement, the EPA says the memo contained “confidential personal and enforcement-sensitive information”, and that the memo was immediately circulated to its regional staff working on the Flint water issue.

Members of the United Auto Workers Region 1-D say they have secured 18 pallets of one-gallon water jugs and 20 pallets of bottled water to supply three community centers in Flint.