NewsNational News

Actions

Michigan governor pledges contact with every Flint household

<p>Boil orders and bottled water have become the norm for residents in Flint, Michigan, and now residents and federal investigators are trying to determine who's really to blame. (Video via <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/news/watch-live-at-130-state-health-officials-address-flint-water-crisis" target="_blank">WXYZ</a>)</p><p>The city switched water sources in April 2014 in hopes of saving money. And with more than 40 percent of residents living below the poverty line, saving money seemed like a good idea. Until people developed rashes and started losing clumps of hair. (Video via <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/05/health/flint-michigan-water-investigation/" target="_blank">CNN</a>)</p><p>Despite growing concern, city officials <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/25/us/a-water-dilemma-in-michigan-cheaper-or-clearer.html" target="_blank">insisted the water was safe</a>. But actually, it wasn't. Researchers found elevated levels of <a href="http://www.abc12.com/home/headlines/Virginia-Tech-Researchers-back-in-Flint-to-test-the-water-333095851.html" target="_blank">lead in the water</a> and in people's blood. </p><p>According to a <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/12/five_takeways_for_the_flint_wa.html" target="_blank">task force</a> appointed by the state's governor, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality dropped the ball and potentially exposed thousands to harmful toxins. The initial report says the department's response to health concerns was "often one of aggressive dismissal" and "completely unacceptable." (Video via <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/news/flint-mayor-governor-snyder-speaks-on-water-crisis" target="_blank">WXYZ</a>)</p><p>It didn't take long for the director of that department to resign. But the buck might not stop there. A city council member told <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/10/us/flint-wants-safe-water-and-someone-to-answer-for-its-crisis.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fus&action=click&contentCollection=us&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> Flint's former state-appointed emergency manager is responsible since he approved the switch to the problematic water source.</p><p>And still others blame <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/news/flint-mayor-governor-snyder-speaks-on-water-crisis" target="_blank">Gov. Rick Snyder</a> for appointing that leader in the first place and for being <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/newly-released-emails-show-state-officials-raised-concerns-about-flint-water-earlier-than-thought" target="_blank">slow to respond</a> to the problem.</p><p>Snyder recently stepped in, issued a state of emergency and pledged to address the water issues in Flint. </p><p>In a <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-372335--,00.html" target="_blank">statement released Dec. 29</a>, he said: "I know many Flint citizens are angry and want more than an apology. That's why I'm taking the actions today to ensure a culture of openness and trust." But for some, it all comes too late.</p><p>"Lead is something that needs to be prevented, never ever reaching the body of a child because when it does it is irreversible, and there's no treatment," Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha told Newsy's partners at <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/news/how-did-the-flint-water-crisis-began-and-what-will-it-mean-for-the-families-who-drank-the-water" target="_blank">WXYZ</a>.</p><p>Doctors in the area say the percentage of kids with elevated lead levels has nearly doubled since April 2014. These children may experience stunted growth, behavioral issues and decreased IQs. (Video via <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/drinking-water-crisis-in-flint--michigan--prompts-federal-investigation-597142595942" target="_blank">NBC</a>)</p><p>The U.S. Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have stepped in to conduct their own investigations into what went wrong. No word on when those probes will wrap up.</p><p><i>This video includes images from Getty Images and music by </i><i><a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Little_Glass_Men/Debut_EP/Modulation_of_the_Spirit_WB" target="_blank">Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0 </a></i></p>
Posted

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An apologetic Gov. Rick Snyder pledged Monday that officials would make contact with every household in Flint to check whether residents have bottled water and a filter and want to be tested for lead exposure while his embattled administration works on a long-term solution to the city's water crisis.

He also said he first clearly knew of Flint's lead problem around Oct. 1, when state health authorities confirmed elevated blood-lead levels in children that were detected by a local doctor. Exposure to lead can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children.

"This is a crisis. So we're responding appropriately. There's more work to be done," Snyder said during a news conference with state and local officials in Flint.

It was the Michigan Republican's first visit to the 99,000-resident city since October, when he called for a switch back to Detroit's water after more corrosive Flint River water leached lead from 15,000 service lines and into homes. Snyder said he may ask state lawmakers for additional money for the emergency before his budget proposal in February.

Flint switched from Detroit's water system to river water in a cost-cutting move in 2014, while under state financial management. That was intended as a temporary step while a pipeline was built from Lake Huron. The city returned to Detroit's Lake Huron water in October after various problems, but officials remain concerned about the corrosion caused by the Flint River water. Extra anti-corrosion controls began last month.

"We don't want people to assume anything's good until we have a chance to do extensive testing and confirm that publicly," Snyder said.

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Interim Director Keith Creagh gave no timeline for when the tap water would be OK to drink, saying additional testing is needed.

The state auditor general and a task force created by Snyder have faulted the Department of Environmental Quality for not requiring Flint to treat the river water for corrosion and belittling the public's fears. Former DEQ Director Dan Wyant resigned last month.

Last week, a professor who has investigated the Flint situation posted online an email obtained through a public records request that shows Snyder's chief of staff expressing concerns in July to Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon that Flint residents were "basically getting blown off." Snyder said Monday he wanted to "push on (state) departments" after hearing concerns from the community, and the agencies "reaffirmed they didn't believe there was an issue. That was not the correct outcome it turns out, in retrospect."

He said he is responsible for what goes on in state government.

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, Snyder said.

"Those actions were not good enough. We've worked hard, but we need to get more connection to the citizens of Flint," Snyder said.

Also Tuesday, he issued an executive order creating a committee to work long term on resolving the crisis and health concerns. The 17 members will serve initial terms through 2018.

Last week, Snyder declared an emergency after Flint and Genesee County requested financial assistance. The state — which previously committed $10.6 million to reconnect Flint to Detroit and to respond with filters other services after initially downplaying the lead risk — could soon ask for federal help.