FLINT, Mich. – Flint Mayor Karen Weaver says plans are in the works to replace all of the city's lead pipes.
“All lead pipes need to be replaced," Weaver told reporters Tuesday at a press conference. "We deserve new pipes because we did not deserve what happened."
Weaver said the project will cost an estimated $55 million, and will replace 15,000 lines. Priority will be given to high risk households.
“We’re going to restore safe drinking water one house at a time, one child at a time, until the lead pipes are gone" Weaver said.
Weaver said the funding will be a collaboration of funding between the Michigan legislature and US Congress.
“I’m asking Gov. Snyder and the state to partner with us. We’ll let the investigations determine who is to blame for Flint’s water crisis, but I’m focused on solving it,” Weaver said. “It’s going to take time to get this done, but we’re going to move quickly.”
State officials disconnected Flint from Detroit's water supply in 2014 and began using the Flint River to save money. Regulators failed to ensure the new water was treated properly and lead from pipes leached into the water supply, contributing to a spike in child lead exposure.