Flint mayor: Pipe replacement to begin next month

Source: Detroit Free Press

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver outlined Tuesday an estimated $55-million public works project expected to begin within a month to remove Flint's lead-contaminated pipes from the water distribution system.

First priority will be given to high-risk households with pregnant women and children, Weaver said at a news conference at City Hall.

"In order for Flint residents to once again have confidence and trust in the water coming from their faucets, all lead pipes in the city of Flint need to be replaced," Weaver said. "The success of the 'Fast Start' plan will require coordination between the city, state and federal officials as well as funding from the Michigan Legislature, Congress or both. I'm asking Gov. Snyder and the state to partner on this effort. We’ll let the investigations determine whose to blame for Flint's water crisis, but I'm focused on solving it. It's going to take time to get this done, but we’re going to move quickly to get this done."

Last week, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver called for the immediate removal of the city's lead-contaminated pipes and announced a plan that will get a major boost in help from Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, who has offered technical assistance from the Lansing Board of Water and Light. Lansing has removed about 13,500 lead pipes in the city.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/02/09/flint-mayor-details-plan-replace-lead-pipes/80049056/