Social Justice

Flint to replace 18,000 lead-tainted water lines by 2020

Michigan and the city of Flint have agreed to replace thousands of contaminated home water lines by 2020 under a deal to settle a lawsuit.

Published

9 years ago

April 13, 2017

UVM Staff

Unheard Voices Magazine

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Michigan and the city of Flint have agreed to replace thousands of home lead-tainted water lines. It will be under a deal to settle a lawsuit over lead-contaminated water in the troubled city.

A court filing says the city will replace at least 18,000 lead or galvanized-steel water lines by 2020. The state will cover the costs with state and federal money. The state said it will pay $87 million and keep another $10 million in reserve if necessary.

Historically, the water in the Flint River downstream has been of poor quality, and was severely degraded during the 1970s. This was due to “the presence of fecal coliform bacteria, low dissolved oxygen, plant nutrients, oils, and toxic substances.”

In 2001, the state ordered the monitoring and cleanup of 134 polluted sites within the Flint River watershed, including industrial complexes, landfills and farms laden with pesticides and fertilizer.

City officials tapped the Flint River and failed to treat the water to reduce corrosion, contaminating Flint’s water with lead for at least 18 months.

Source: CNN, NBC

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Related Topics:Flint Flint Water Crisis Michigan

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UVM Staff

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.