Two days after President Trump met with the mayor of Flint, Michigan, the EPA has executed on legislation signed in December 2016, sending $100 Million in Federal funds to help them recover from the water crisis which began in April of 2014, nearly three years ago. Due to insufficient water treatment and old corroding pipes, over 100,000 residents in the region have been exposed to high levels of lead. Widespread illnesses have been reported, including a spike in waterborne Legionnaire’s Disease – leading to a Federal state of emergency in January of 2016.
The funds were originally authorized on December 16th, 2016 as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (better late than never, I guess). While Flint water was given a clean bill of health in January – residents have been advised that it will be at least a year before they can drink it, as corroding lead pipes still need to be replaced.
Flint residents will also be provided with water filters for 3 years while the lead pipes are replaced, according to a letter from state officials:
Due to the ongoing lead service line replacement projects this year, filters and filter cartridges will remain available,” read the letter. “Further, filters and cartridges will remain available for residents during the estimated three years it will take to remove the remaining lead and galvanized iron service lines
Trump’s EPA head Scott Pruit had this to say:
The people of Flint and all Americans deserve a more responsive federal government… …the EPA will especially focus on helping Michigan improve Flint’s water infrastructure as part of our larger goal of improving America’s water infrastructure.
The federal award to comes a month after Flint Mayor Karen Weaver’s proposal for spending the money, along with $20 million in matching funds from the state.
“The city of Flint being awarded a grant of this magnitude in such a critical time of need will be a huge benefit,” said Weaver. “As we prepare to start the next phase of the … pipe replacement program, these funds will give us what we need to reach our goal of replacing 6,000 pipes this year and make other needed infrastructure improvements. We look forward to the continued support of the EPA and federal government.” –Mlive.com
Good stuff, and about damn time.
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I’d appreciate your views on Dear Leader’s meeting with Merkel. I may disagree with your assessment, but it helps me understand why so many folks stick with a quarterback who consistently fumbles the ball.
The city government of flint will find hundreds of ways to “misplace” a good share of those funds.
Guaranteed.
They know no other way of doing business.
What diff $100MM makes if those who are responsible are not in jail yet?
Good question jbwmba, not sure why the Germans have stood by the quarterback responsible for so many rapes and murders and axe attacks and runaway trucks and swimming pool molestations. She may be the one person most responsible for the EU’s pending demise.
The meeting seemed icy, but I’m glad that Trump was able to convince Germany to contribute their “fair share” to NATO.
Yeah
If she only just fumbled it. This lady picks up the ball and runs the wrong way. Scoring many points for the visiting team while robbing her own team in the process.
Ass in real life, the team owners make money, while the common person loses their dignity
Regards
Chuck Bennett
This can’t be the only city in America with these type of problems. What about all the others? It really begins to hit home when you think about all the money spent in the Middle East that should have been spent on infrastructure projects here. Sad!