LANSING, Mich. — The federal government’s disaster relief agency has sent two officials to Michigan and is “closely following the Flint water situation,” according to the agency’s spokesman, but it was not clear Saturday whether the state requested the help or whether the move is a precursor to a Michigan request for federal financial aid.
Rafael Lemaitre, director of public affairs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, said on Twitter Friday that FEMA has deployed two liaison officers to the Michigan Emergency Operations Center to provide technical assistance.
State officials could not immediately say Saturday whether Gov. Rick Snyder had requested help from FEMA or whether the federal agency sent the officials on its own accord.
Flint’s drinking water became contaminated with lead in 2014 after its supply source was switched from Lake Huron water provided by what was then the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the more polluted and corrosive Flint River, while the city was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager.
The cost-cutting move resulted in a spike in lead levels in children, which can cause permanent brain damage. A recent preliminary report from a task force appointed by Snyder placed most of the blame on the state Department of Environmental Quality, which did not require the addition of anti-corrosive chemicals to the water. That prompted a Snyder apology and the Dec. 29 resignation of department Director Dan Wyant.
Although the state assisted the city in moving its source of drinking water back to Lake Huron water supplied by Detroit in October, concerns about contamination remain because the more corrosive Flint River water damaged pipes and other infrastructure.
Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Eden Wells, said Thursday that Flint residents should either use a lead filter on their drinking water taps, or drink bottled water, until further notice. The Flint water is safe to drink if a properly installed and a properly maintained lead filter is used, Wells said. She also called on parents to have children younger than 6 blood-tested immediately for signs of lead poisoning.
Under state and federal law, after Snyder declared a state of emergency Tuesday, he may request assistance through FEMA “if state and local government resources are unable to cope with the emergency or disaster.”
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