BREAKING: Flint Goes Back to Detroit Water Source Until Summer 2016
Governor Snyder just announced that Flint residents will begin receiving water again from Detroit until the summer of 2016 when the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline is expected to be completed. The temporary switch to the Detroit water source should happen in two weeks.
In a press conference at 10 AM this morning, Governor Snyder announced that the city of Flint will return to obtaining their water from Detroit. This follows the water emergency that was declared for Flint, due to the high levels of lead in the water. Currently, the city's water is taken from the Flint River.
The estimated cost of the transition is approx. $12 million. Half will be covered by the state of Michigan, $4 million by the Mott Foundation, and the rest by the city of Flint. Officials estimate that the transition will be completed quickly.
The governor was joined by Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, Director of Environmental Quality, Dan Wyant, Director of Health and Human Services, Nick Lyon, Dr. Eden Wells, Chief Medical Executive at DHHS, and Ridgway White of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
We'll update this post as we receive more information.