State of emergency declared in Flint, Michigan, over amount of lead in water
Apparently hoping for state and federal aid, the mayor of Flint, Michigan, has declared a state of emergency over the amount of lead in the city’s water supply.
The unusual step, as far as a water system is concerned, was taken by Mayor Karen Weaver at a Monday city council meeting, reports MLive.
In a Monday declaration provided on Facebook by a Fox News reporter, Weaver blamed an earlier decision by others to switch to the Flint River as a water source for the problem, calling it “a manmade disaster” that has affected the health of children throughout the city. The percentage of Flint children with above-average lead levels has almost doubled citywide, MLive reports. High lead levels can result in learning disabilities and resultant problems, the mayor points out in the declaration.
Although the city only began using the Flint River supply in April 2014 and switched back to the Detroit water system on Oct. 16, problems with lead exposure persist, according to the mayor and a federal lawsuit filed by Flint citizens against the city and state and various public officials.
The Washington Post (reg. req.) provides a copy of the complaint (PDF), which was filed last month in the Eastern District of Michigan.
To qualify for financial aid from the state and federal government, the governor or president would have to declare a state of emergency in Flint, city spokesman Sean Kammer told Reuters. The mayor’s declaration, it appears, potentially puts that process in motion.
Whether the city meets criteria for such a state and federal declaration, “I don’t know,” Weaver said. “I’m going to ask and let them tell us no.”
