CHICAGO - The city of Flint, Mich. has asked Gov. Rick Snyder for $30 million to tackle contamination in its water supply, which has been a problem since the city broke off from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling sent a letter this week to Snyder requesting $30 million in state funds, including $10 million for lead removal.
"We need every available expert and resource to address Flint's water problems," Walling said in the letter, according to local papers.
Walling wants to use the money to upgrade the city's infrastructure in addition to removing lead from the water. A recent study by experts at Virginia Tech University warned that Flint has a "very serious lead-in-water problem," and warned residents to use a filter to remove lead or flush their lines before drinking or cooking with the tap water.
The Flint City Council voted 8-0, with one member absent, to endorse Walling's letter to Snyder.
Michigan gave Flint $2 million in February to help improve its water quality.
Flint broke away from the Detroit system last year. Since April 2014 it has been getting its water from the Flint River and treating it at its own treatment plant. The city eventually plans to get its water through the Karegnondi Water Authority with Genesee County, but that new water system won't be completed until the end of 2016.
