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Report: Cost of replacing Flint water pipes double estimates

This Tuesday, May 24, 2016, image taken from video shows David G. Mata Sr. turning on the faucet in the basement of his home in Flint, Mich. State and local officials are asking Flint residents to flush the pipes in their homes every day for two weeks. Some residents like Mata are giving it a shot, but not all believe the effort will have its intended effect of helping to remove lead particles and coat the pipes. (AP Photo/Mike Householder) This Tuesday, May 24, 2016, image taken from video shows David G. Mata Sr. turning on the faucet in the basement of his home in Flint, Mich. State and local officials are asking Flint residents to flush the pipes in their homes every day for two weeks. Some residents like Mata are giving it a shot, but not all believe the effort will have its intended effect of helping to remove lead particles and coat the pipes. (AP Photo/Mike Householder)

By Associated Press May 28, 2016 1 min read

FLINT, Mich. (AP) – A report obtained by a newspaper says replacing water pipes due to the lead-tainted crisis in Flint could be at least twice the price of previous estimates.

The Detroit Free Press reports (http://on.freep.com/1TGtTPl ) that engineering company Rowe Professional Services told the state that the average cost for replacing a service water line through a completed pilot project was $7,500.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality previously estimated it would cost $4,000, but the company’s report said costs could be higher if average permit fees of $2,400 per site are included.

Representatives of Flint Mayor Karen Weaver did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Gov. Rick Snyder’s spokesman Ari Adler says Flint is charging “very large fees,” while Weaver has said Flint needs more money for replacing pipes.

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Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com