Flint Mayor Asks Snyder for $30M to Upgrade Water System

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling is asking Governor Snyder for $10 million to replace pipes susceptible to leaching lead.

running water

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling is requesting $30 million from the state to help upgrade the city’s water system, including $10 million to replace pipes susceptible to leaching lead.

A study from Virginia Tech University warned residents of dangerous amounts of lead in homes’ drinking water.

Walling says the city is adding an anti-corrosion treatment to the system.

“The city will be making modifications to the treatment process with our existing operations and maintenance budget,” Walling says. “But the threat of the lead service lines staying underground for the next 10, 20, 30 years is something I believe we need to eliminate as we are making a transition next year to a new water source.”

The city’s sampling has reported water with lead contamination in just a couple of houses out of 100 tested, Walling says. 

He encourages all residents to take advantage of the city’s free water testing service. 

Author

  • Bre'Anna Tinsley
    Bre'Anna Tinsley is a reporter for Detroit Public Radio, 101.9 WDET. She covers city government and housing, as well as co-hosting the "Detroit Evening Report" podcast.