FLINT (WKZO) — Federal officials are on their way to Michigan to help with a drinking water crisis in Flint, while the State continues to ramp up its own response.
Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency have been deployed to the area to provide technical assistance. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder requested the help, but has yet to ask for federal financial aid in connection with the ongoing emergency.
Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint and Genesee County last Tuesday, but has faced backlash for not doing so sooner and not requesting federal dollars from FEMA.
Flint’s drinking water was contaminated with lead in 2014 after a switch in supply source.
The State of Michigan is setting up a number of sites at Flint fire stations and community agencies for the distribution of free bottled water, faucet filters, replacement cartridges and home water testing kits to address concerns about lead in city water.
They have persisted, despite the fact that the Flint water system has reconnected with Detroit’s water supply.
Residents are being told they can use unfiltered tap water for bathing and washing clothes, but should be using bottled water or filtered water for drinking, tooth brushing, dishwashing and cooking.
A total of 9-stations have been established around the community for supplies. It’s all being paid for by Michigan taxpayers, as part of the State of Emergency declaration issued last week.
Meanwhile several investigations are underway and a lawsuit is pending over what went wrong when a State Appointed manager decided it would save money if the city stopped using Detroit for its water and began pumping and treating water from the Flint River.
