Layne Piper

Drinking Water Flint, Mich., Declares State of Emergency Over Water Dec. 15 — The mayor of Flint, Mich., declared a state of emergency Dec. 14 over high levels of lead found in children's blood. “The city of Flint has experienced a man-made disaster” caused by the city switching to the Flint River as a source of drinking water, Mayor Karen Weaver said in a statement. In October, the city switched back to using Detroit's drinking water. Weaver said she would seek support from the federal government to deal with the “irreversible” effects of lead exposure on the city's children, including delayed development effects. In some Flint residences, lead is found in drinking water at levels higher than the action level of 15 Parts per billion, the statement said. Residents were advised to continue to use water filters until long-term solutions are found. In November, residents of Flint sued the city and state (221 DEN A-5, 11/17/15). xxxEND_PAGE:deq18_b531_3709_3709_1