State claims water system violation in Flint but mayor says it's just bullying
FLINT, MI -- Add the threat of a federal lawsuit to a growing list of friction points between the city and the state of Michigan over the Flint water system.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office told Mayor Karen Weaver Monday, June 11, that the city is in violation of Safe Drinking Water Act for failing to correct previously identified deficiencies in the water system, including technical, managerial and financial problems.
Assistant Attorney General Richard S. Kuhl advised Weaver of the SDWA violation and warned that the Department of Environmental Quality "will be compelled to request that (the attorney general) file suit in federal district court against the city" unless it agrees to sign on to an administrative consent order to fix problem spots by certain dates.
State officials have said the water systems' problem areas include not having a manager dedicated to preventing sewage from contaminating drinking water, not having a plan to implement a rates that reflect the cost of adequate staffing and laboratory facilities, and not having hired a full-time operator in charge of the water treatment plant.
Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/06/state_puts_flint_on_notice_for_1.html