FLINT, MI - The researcher whose work exposed problems with Flint's drinking water has been appointed to monitor ongoing testing of the city's water supply.
Mayor Karen Weaver announced Wednesday, Jan. 27, that Marc Edwards has been retained by the city to monitor the city's water testing efforts.
Edwards, a professor from Virginia Tech, is the water expert who first warned Flint River water was highly corrosive, causing lead to leach into the drinking water supply.
The announcement during a press conference with Gov. Rick Snyder and other state leaders explaining the ongoing efforts to combat the city's water crisis.
Weaver said Edwards will report directly to her and will be funded by private donations.
The city is currently in the national spotlight after elevated blood levels were discovered in some Flint children after the city changed its water source from Lake Huron water purchased from the Detroit water system to the Flint River in April 2014, a decision made while the city was being run by a state-appointed emergency manager.
State regulators never required that the river water be treated to make it less corrosive, causing lead from plumbing and pipes to leach into the water supply.
Even though the city reconnected to the Detroit water system in October, local officials have advised Flint resident not to drink city water unless they are using a lead-clearing filter.
The Synder administration requested a supplemental appropriation for the current fiscal year that would use $22 million in state money plus some federal money to direct $28 million to address immediate in Flint. It allocates state funding to six department and would enable the state to increase National Guard efforts, increase nurses in schools and replace fixtures in some public places.
More than $17 million of the funding would go to provide emergency bottled water, filters, blood testing and other services. The bill also includes $5 million to aid the city in the loss of revenue from unpaid water bills and new water system infrastructure.
The state House passed the bill 106-0 on Jan. 20. Snyder said the Senate is expected to take up the bill this week.
Check back with Mlive.com for more updates on today's press conference.