After 4 agonizing years of lead contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, the court struck a proposal to replace the 18,000 contaminated pipes by 2020.
BREAKING: Court agreement reached to replace 18,000 water lines in lead-contaminated Flint by 2020.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 27, 2017
The repairments will cost up to $97 million dollars along with free water bottle services. Water distributions centers will run from Monday through Saturday, providing Flint citizens with filters and water testing kits.
In 2018, evaluations will be held to count the estimated pipes. The proposal warns if it’s over 18,000, Michigan will cut reserve funds of $10 million to replace the contaminated pipes. However, if the expected quota of $97 million increases, the state will require to get funds from the Legistature. State Rep. Sheldon Neeley declared that Flint still needs all the resources it can obtain.
‘Right now, we’re still at a point where residents are still drinking bottled water, some are still cooking with bottled water and every little bit that has been allocated for getting people back to a normal standard quality of life is important.’
The deal also states that a non-affiliated program will be underway by the government for increased lead monitoring. Residents are allowed to have their tap water tested for free until 2020, in addition to four times a year. Families will get educated by team officials on how to install filters correctly and provide cartridge replacements for 2018.
The enduring fight is over. Progress is slowly being made. This is a win for Flint citizens. A win for all the vigorous protesters who never stopped demanding their rights. Clean water is a right, not a privilege.
