Judge Approves $97 Million Settlement To Replace Flint’s Water Lines.
The state of Michigan has agreed to spend up to $97 million for new water lines in the city of Flint, which has been struggling with a crisis over lead in its water for the past three years.
A federal judge at the U.S. District Court for Michigan’s eastern district approved the agreement Tuesday.
The state is required to allocate $87 million for the pipe replacement, according to the terms of the deal.
The money will come from both state and federal funds.
"This is a win for the people of Flint," plaintiff and Flint resident Melissa Mays said in a statement.
But the wire service adds that for some residents, three years waiting for replacement pipes sounds like a long time.
"The residents who filed this lawsuit had also wanted bottled water delivered to every Flint home without a working water filter," Michigan Radio’s Kate Wells tells our Newscast unit.
The agreement requires state monitoring of homes where it has replaced service lines.
Michigan has also agreed to keep funding above federal levels for health programs, particularly those applicable to pregnant women and children affected by the high lead levels.