Feds provide $100M for Flint water improvements

The federal government has approved a $100 million in emergency funding for Flint, Mich., as part of recovery efforts following the city’s drinking water crisis. 

The funding was mandated by a water resources development bill passed last year and makes up the largest chunk of federal support for the city of 100,000, which is suffering through a lead outbreak in its drinking water. 

Funding will go toward replacing lead service lines in the city and improving corrosion controls there. 

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More than $51 million — from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Michigan — will go toward immediate relief efforts. Another $68.5 million pot of federal funds will be released after a more thorough public comment and technical review process. 

“Today we have good news for families in Flint who have already waited far too long for their water system to be fixed,” three Michigan Democrats — Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Rep. Dan Kildee — said in a statement. 

“The people of Flint are strong and resilient, and we will continue to fight for the resources and assistance they need. It’s also past time for the state of Michigan to do everything in its power to meet its responsibilities to help the city recover from this man-made crisis.”

In a separate statement, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency will “especially focus on helping Michigan improve Flint’s water infrastructure as part of our larger goal of improving America’s water infrastructure.”

Mich. Gov. Rich Snyder (R) said the funding “will help keep Flint on a solid path forward. It’s great to see federal, state and local partners continuing to work together to help with infrastructure upgrades and pipe replacements for the people of Flint.” 

Congress last year approved a water development bill authorizing $170 million in aid for the drinking water crisis in Flint and other cities around the country.