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(MLive.com File)
FLINT, MI -- The process is under way to locate and replace lead water pipes plaguing the city of Flint.
Work on replacing the high-risk lead service lines in Flint is under way as state and city leaders work together to focus on removing pipes in priority areas while analyzing the city's water pipe network to maximize efficiency, according to a news release from Gov. Rick Snyder's office.
State officials came to an agreement Tuesday, Feb. 16 with Rowe Professional Services -- a Flint-based engineering firm -- to update recent analysis of water pipes in the city and boost efforts to protect the health of safety of residents, according to the release.
"We're committed to the people of Flint, and the top priority is ensuring people have access to safe water," Snyder said in a statement. "We need to make sure people will be able to once again turn on the tap and be able to use what comes form it. We're immediately targeting high-risk, high-hazard homes to help those families. Together, we can focus on longer-term solutions."
Retired National Guard Brig. General Michael McDaniel is assisting in coordinating the efforts between the city of Flint, the Lansing Board of Water and Light, state and federal agencies and other stakeholders, according to the release.
"Flint Mayor Karen Weaver wants this work to be completed as quickly as possible to protect Flint residents," McDaniel said in a statement. "We've been working in partnership to identify the areas that need to be addressed immediately and remove lead pipes, bringing peace of mind to Flint families and make sure this never happens again."
Snyder said a supplemental budget request that was approved last month unanimously in the Legislature, includes money for utilities and can be used to survey Flint's underground network of pipes, according to the release. Ongoing water testing is revealing where there are high-risk, high-priority areas that should be addressed most quickly. Teams continue to work to locate where lead water pipes are located and are focusing on high-risk areas.
"We need to find out which of the city's pipes are made of lead and have lead soldering, and are the most critical to address immediately," Snyder said in a statement. "We're hiring Flint residents and training them to assist with that process, working together to make the community safer."
The supplemental budget request to the Legislature includes $25 million that can be used for the water infrastructure, according to the release. Snyder said other resources can potentially be tapped for additional funds to replace pipes.
The $25 million was included as part of a $195 million package of immediate and long-term support for Flint residents that Snyder unveiled as part of a budget presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 10 that focused on health, education and infrastructure.
The budget request included money for other infrastructure needs including water testing, inspecting and replacing fixtures in schools and daycare facilities, prioritizing infrastructure repairs and staying connected with Detroit water.
Also included in the package is money for food and nutritional programs, health-related programs and funds to bring relief to residents paying for water they could not use.