Proposed $97M deal reached in Flint drinking water case.
Detroit — The state will spend an additional $47 million to help ensure safe drinking water in Flint by replacing lead pipes and providing free bottled water under a proposed settlement announced Monday.
The money is in addition to $40 million previously budgeted to address Flint’s widespread lead-contamination crisis.
The lawsuit was filed last year by a group led by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the ACLU of Michigan, Concerned Pastors for Social Action and Flint resident Melissa Mays, who also declined comment Monday.
The proposed deal covers a four-year period and comes 10 days after the Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $100 million emergency grant to Michigan to fund infrastructure upgrades in Flint, where lead-contaminated water damaged service lines.
The state will provide bottled water, free filters, cartridges and water-testing kits at each of the centers.
An evaluation will be conducted in approximately one year and if there are more than 18,000 lines, the state will spend the $10 million in reserve funds to replace those pipes.
The government also agreed to monitor lead levels in Flint’s tap water for one year – more time than required under the law.
According to the settlement, an independent program will be created for additional monitoring.
Additionally, Flint residents can continue to have their tap water tested for free for the next four years.