LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Four remaining free bottled water stations will close in Flint, Michigan Gov.
Rick Snyder announced Friday, more than two years after the state opened them in response to a man-made, lead-tainted drinking water crisis that threatened the health of its residents.
“We will now focus even more of our efforts on continuing with the health, education and economic development assistance needed to help move Flint forward.” Residents and local officials criticized the move, noting that many in the city of 100,000 remain distrustful after their water supply was contaminated with lead for 18 months.
The contamination happened in 2014 and 2015 when officials used river water that wasn’t properly treated.
“Out of an abundance of caution we encourage residents to use filters until their confidence in tap water is restored,” Brown said.
The state began shutting down Flint’s nine total free bottled water sites last summer, after test results showed lead and copper levels had dipped below federal action levels.
Flint resident Melissa Mays — who filed a lawsuit that led to a court-ordered agreement under which the state and federal governments are paying to replace pipes made from lead or galvanized steel — said she still cooks with bottled water.
More than 6,200 homes have had their pipes replaced so far, according to Snyder’s announcement.
State lawmakers from Flint also expressed dismay at the announcement.
“You can’t restore the trust that was lost from 2014 to 2015,” he said.