GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday signed into law $28 million more in emergency funding to address Flint’s lead-contaminated water.
It’s the second round of state aid for the city since the crisis was confirmed in the fall, bringing the total allocated to nearly $39 million. The Republican governor said the funding will provide immediate resources in Flint, but is not the end of state assistance.
Improperly treated water leached lead from pipes into drinking water after Flint switched from Detroit’s water system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. The switch was supposed to be an interim move until the completion of a new pipeline from Lake Huron.
Flint has reconnected to Detroit’s system for now.
“It’s time to stand up and recognize that things could have been done differently,” Snyder said before signing the legislation at the annual meeting of the Michigan Press Association in Grand Rapids. “Mistakes were made. … We’re going to solve them.”